Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has pledged to extend the £1 bus fare cap for under 22s across our region until 2027 at the earliest.

The cap has been in place since June 2024 after the Mayor promised to introduce the fare limit following his re-election.

Now Mayor Houchen wants to extend these offers until March 2027 to ensure more young people can access jobs, training and education.

More than four million journeys have been made by young people since scheme launch in 2024, at a cost of just £1.

Young people across the region have also been able to make use of a day ticket offer, providing unlimited daily travel across local services for no more than £3.

Mayor Houchen said: “This is about giving young people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool the boost they need.

“Access to jobs, training and education is unbelievably vital. More than four million journeys show this £1 cap is working, so I’m determined to keep this going and make sure travel costs don’t hold ambition back.

“When I make a pledge, I keep it. I hope leaders recognise this is a no brainer and back me in the spring so we can continue putting money back in young people’s pockets.”

The pledge comes after the Government confirmed bus funding for the region would be lifted by an extra £1.1million a year until 2029 through the Local Authority Bus Grant (BSAG).

The £1 cap also applies to most journeys starting in the Tees Valley and travelling outside the region, while the £3 day ticket can be used across multiple operators.

An extension of both the £1 and £3 fare caps are subject to Cabinet approval in March.

To find out more on the cap, go to: 21 & Under Bus Fares Offer Terms & Conditions – Travel – Tees Valley