Hundreds of young people in Hull and the East Riding are to receive six months of free bus travel to support them as they leave care.
Working in partnership with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, East Yorkshire Buses and Stagecoach East Midlands, Hull City Council has introduced the Young Persons’ Freedom Pass using bus service improvement plan (BSIP) funding from the Department for Transport (DfT).
The pass will be available to around 300 eligible young people leaving local authority care and residing in Hull and East Yorkshire.
The pass allows the holder to travel, free of charge, on local bus services operated by East Yorkshire Buses and Stagecoach East Midlands.
There are no time restrictions for using the pass. It is for travel to and from places of employment and further education or can also be used for leisure purposes.
The pass is funded until the end of March 2025, when the councils expect to hear about future funding from the DfT.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transportation, roads and highways at Hull City Council, said: “Supporting our young people, particularly those leaving care, is a top priority for the council.
“Working with our local bus operators and our neighbouring authority to bring forward this innovative scheme is really pleasing and will really help those eligible as they take those important first steps after care.”
The pass can be used in both Hull and the East Riding or for travel between the two areas.
Councillor Paul West, cabinet member for environment and transport at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Because of the DfT funding and with thanks to these bus companies for partnering with our two councils, we can offer this important benefit to our care leavers.
“We hope this will help these young people to travel around the area and get to where they need to go at a very important time in their lives.”
Ben Gilligan, managing director of East Yorkshire Buses, said: “We are really pleased to be able to support this important initiative that will help to provide travel opportunities for young people who are venturing out into the world. The bus network plays a key role in this, and we hope to see a good level of uptake.”
Matt Cranwell, managing director at Stagecoach East Midlands, said: “Stagecoach is proud to support an initiative that helps give those young people leaving care the opportunity to travel for free to access employment, education and leisure activities.
“It’s great to see a partnership coming together to launch the Freedom Pass that will substantially benefit those eligible.”
