More young people in North East England can get discounted bus fares following partnership working by bus operators in collaboration with the North East Combined Authority (NECA)
Anyone under 19 gets discounted fares on all Arriva, Go North East and Stagecoach Services in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, and County Durham.
These changes make the ticketing offer consistent across the area. A single is now a maximum of £1.
Kevin Carr, Chair of the North East Bus Operators' Association (NEBOA) and Go North East MD, said: “The introduction of a streamlined approach to ticketing across the region is widely welcomed. We hope this will encourage more young people to choose to travel by bus as an accessible, cost effective and environmentally-friendly option.”
NECA led a working group with operators to look at ways to offer simpler fares and good value travel.
North East Combined Authority member and Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council, Councillor Joyce McCarty, chaired a task and finish group which worked towards securing the improved fare deal for young people.
Cllr 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.
“Young people themselves lobbied hard to get us to look at this, so I am delighted with this response.
“A standardised age range for young person’s discounts is absolutely the right approach and I’m delighted that we’ve achieved that.”
Go North East has been offering a £1 single for all those aged 18 and under since September 2016.
Arriva North East and Stagecoach are now following suit and have introduced a new range of tickets for young people.
Stagecoach will now offer a maximum £1 single for young people who are under 19 and live in Tyne and Wear.
Arriva North East will be introducing a new Young Person’s Saver, including a discounted day ticket for young people who are aged under 19. Both operators will accept each other’s ID – a Stagecoach VIP card or an Arriva Teen Card.
