Mayor’s Fares hits 100 million journey milestone

A North East transport initiative has reached a major milestone after helping millions of passengers access cheaper travel across the region.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness has announced that 100 million journeys have now been made using The Mayor’s Fares scheme across buses, Metro services, local rail routes and the Shields Ferry.

Introduced to make public transport more affordable, the scheme caps fares at £1 for young people and £2.50 for adults until March 2027.

The fares offer significant savings compared to the Government’s national £3 bus fare cap, while passengers can also access discounted day tickets covering multiple modes of transport across the region.

Young people aged 21 and under can benefit from £1 fares and a £3 regionwide day ticket, while adults can purchase a £7.50 ticket covering buses, Metro and the Shields Ferry.

Mayor McGuinness said: “This just goes to show, when public transport is affordable, people choose to use it and that’s what The Mayor’s Fares are all about. 

“Rising bills are hitting people hard, and this is one of the ways in which we’re putting money back into people’s pockets and easing the financial pressure too many are facing.

“Local people in the North East deserve nothing less than an affordable world-class integrated public transport network – one that gives access to real opportunity. 

“This is just another step in the right direction, but we want to go further.

“I’ve always been clear I want to see our buses under public control and I’ll be asking for your views on how our bus network should be run this summer.”

The Mayor’s Fares form part of wider plans for the proposed Angel Network, which aims to create a more affordable, integrated and reliable public transport system across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham.

People can sign up to be part of the journey to the Angel Network here.

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