North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has co-ordinated with public transport operators to introduce a region-wide ‘Kids Go Free’ offer for the school holidays.
Effective immediately, bus operators across Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Durham will allow free travel for up to three children aged 11 and under when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket or concessionary pass. The offer is valid during all school holidays over the coming year.
The initiative aims to provide financial relief to families in the region during school holiday periods and complements previous bus operator promotions as well as a “permanent price promise” across the Tyne and Wear Metro and Shields Ferry.
The offer addresses a key manifesto pledge.
Says Ms McGuinness: “I promised in my manifesto to launch a universal Kids Go Free scheme on buses and Metro within my first year and I’m pleased to be able to deliver this for local families throughout the school holidays.
“I believe that everyone should have access to affordable, sustainable public transport and Kids Go Free is a great way to help families enjoy their holidays together and of course our amazing region – without the worry of extra transport costs.
“Kids Go Free is great news for all but for those on low incomes, I hope this really helps to lighten the load. This is just the start of my plans to improve public transport for everyone across the North East.”
The promotion will be available on most North East bus services including those operated by Arriva, Go North East and Stagecoach from 20 July to 1 September for the summer holidays, with dates for the 2024/2025 school holidays to be confirmed later.
The initiative has been praised by Chair of the local operators’ association NEBus Ben Maxfield. “Bus operators across the region have answered the Mayor’s call to launch a new region-wide Kids Go Free offer which is great news for local communities,” he says.
