Member News
A plan to provide free bus travel for care leavers up to the age of 25 is being developed by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.
Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet will discuss proposals at its next meeting which set out the funding streams that could fund the package of support.
The scheme would be introduced alongside an extension of the current £1 bus travel scheme for those aged 21 and under beyond its current period ending this summer.
Work on the plan to support care leavers follows a request by the leaders of the five Tees Valley borough councils in October 2024 for TVCA to fund free travel for those who have previously been under the care of their Local Authority.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “We want to provide the very best support for people to take advantage of the employment and training opportunities that we are bringing to Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.
“Access to affordable transport plays a vitally important role in achieving this and this new programme will help to tackle some of the financial and social challenges we know care leavers can often face as they move into adulthood.
“We have already seen how our £1 fare cap is bringing fantastic benefits for our young people.
“The proposed extension of this programme alongside the plan for free travel for care leavers is further evidence of how we are delivering a comprehensive package of support to help our young people stay local and go far.”
It is proposed that funding for the programme will be made through Tees Valley Combined Authority Bus Service Improvement Programme allocation, with further support available through the £3.5million Intra-City Transport Fund.
Middlesbrough Mayor and Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet Member Chris Cooke said: “Providing free travel for care leavers under 25 is such a simple thing to do that will go a long way.
“Along with the four council leaders for our area I have pushed for this and I’m pleased a solution is now on the table.
“Young people who leave care face so many challenges and we should be working together to remove as many obstacles as possible.”
Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet will meet on March 28 to consider the proposals. If approved, work will begin to implement the programme as soon as possible.
