Region-wide discount bus fare offer for youngsters
Young people in the North East are being offered standardised discounted bus fares.
Partnership working between local bus operators and the North East Combined Authority (NECA) mean that, from this month, anyone under the age of 19 gets discounted fares on all Arriva, Go North East and Stagecoach Services in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, and County Durham.
These changes make ticket prices more consistent across the region, allowing those who must now stay in education until the age of 18 to access discounted fares.
Prior to these changes the eligibility for young person’s discounts had varied widely between the different bus companies. NECA has led a working group with bus operators to look at ways to offer simpler fares and good value travel for young people who rely on public transport to get around for school, college and leisure activities.
The bus operators have standardised the age range for bus ticketing for young people in North East England.
NECA member and deputy leader of Newcastle City Council, Coun Joyce McCarty, said: “I welcome this collaborative approach with the bus operators, which has secured a better deal for young people who rely on buses to get around.
“We want to encourage young people to use buses and simplifying the ticket offer will help in that.
Kevin Carr, chairman of the North East Bus Operators’ Association, said: “The introduction of a streamlined approach to ticketing for young people across the region is widely welcomed.”