North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has confirmed that bus fares will remain capped at £1 for young people and £2.50 for adults until March 2027, saving local people money every single day delivering on her pledge to make travel more affordable.
Thanks to the Mayor’s bus fare cap, adults in the North East pay 50p less than the Government’s national cap of £3, while young people save up to £2 through the 21 and under £1 fare.
The Mayor’s Fares are driving change: bus travel in the North East is up by almost 9 million journeys this year - an 8% increase, far outpacing the 1% national growth.
Mayor Kim said: “I pledged to make transport affordable, which is why I’ve ensured that bus fares are frozen at £1 and £2.50 until 2027 - giving people the option they need when money is tight. The proof is in the numbers: millions more bus journeys are being made across the North East. Take away the barriers, and people get on board.”
From 1 April 2026, young people aged 21 and under will be able to travel for just £1 for a single journey or £3 for a regionwide day ticket offering unlimited travel on buses, the Metro and the Shields Ferry. Adults will continue to benefit from a £2.50 single fare, a £7.50 regionwide day ticket covering buses, Metro and the Shields Ferry, plus £6 Day Rover tickets giving unlimited bus travel in County Durham or Northumberland.
In 2025, over 43.5 million journeys are expected to be undertaken using the Mayor’s Fares - approximately 2 in every 5 journeys. That number represents fewer cars on the road, less congestion, and more people able to access education, training and jobs.
Mayor Kim has also set out her ambition to take back control of bus services. She recognises that this is a lengthy process, but one she is determined to see through - and progress is being made. Public control will allow routes to be better integrated, services more reliable, and affordable fares expanded across the network.