A new initiative offering free bus travel to young people leaving the care system across the Tees Valley will be introduced next week. The Tees Pass, developed by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority (TVCA), will launch on 17 November and allow care leavers to travel for free on buses until the age of 25.
The scheme is designed to support care leavers who often face significant “financial and social challenges” when transitioning to independent living. Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the Tees Pass would help them “access new opportunities” and make everyday travel easier and more affordable.
Funding for the initiative comes from the Department for Transport’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke described the project as “a simple and straightforward move which will have a big impact on hundreds of lives,” highlighting how vital accessible transport is for education, employment and social inclusion.
Steve Walker, Stagecoach’s managing director for the North East, called the new pass “fantastic,” welcoming the collaboration between local authorities and transport providers to improve accessibility for young people in the region.
The TVCA already funds a £1 bus fare cap for under 22s, which will continue alongside the new pass. The Tees Pass will add another layer of support, ensuring that care leavers can travel freely across the Tees Valley, helping them stay connected to work, training, friends and family.
