Thousands of children to travel for free in the North East this summer
The return of the Kids Go Free scheme, launched by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, means children can enjoy free bus travel during the school holidays.
The scheme will run from July 19 to August 31, 2025, and covers Tyne and Wear, County Durham, and Northumberland.
Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, said: "Kids Go Free will see thousands of children across the North East travelling for free this summer.
(Image: Mark Savage Photograpy)
"From Berwick to Bishop Auckland and beyond, families can enjoy cheaper travel by bus and when using the Metro and Ferry too."
Under the scheme, up to three children aged 11 and under can travel for free with every fare-paying adult or concessionary pass holder.
This makes getting around the region more affordable during the school holidays.
Last month, Ms McGuinness announced the scheme will continue until at least September 2026, covering this summer, next summer, and all school holidays in between.
Ms McGuinness said: "Since launching last year, Kids Go Free has already helped so many people travel affordably and enjoy their time together during the school holidays.
"We're working to make travelling using public transport cheaper and easier and I'm delighted Kids Go Free has now been extended to run during school holidays until at least September 2026.
"Affordable travel is great news for everyone, but I know that family budgets are increasingly stretched, so I'm pulling out all the stops to do everything we can to reduce the burden of high transport costs for local people.
"Alongside Kids Go Free, we've also rolled out a bus fare cap, which means no single bus journey can be more than a maximum of £2.50 – that's at least 50p cheaper per journey than the national cap."
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Bus operators have also voiced their support for the scheme.
In a joint statement, Stagecoach, Go North East, and Arriva said: "We're delighted to enable families to have more cost-effective days out by bus this summer, enjoying the attractions and places of interest across the region."
To view full terms and conditions and upcoming dates for the offer, visit www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/kidsgofree.
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Thousands of children to travel for free in the North East this summer
Tens of thousands of children in the North East will travel for free this summer, it has been announced. The return of the Kids Go Free scheme, launched by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, means children can enjoy free bus travel during the school holidays. The scheme will run from July 19 to August 31, 2025, and covers Tyne and Wear, County Durham, and Northumberland. Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, said: "Kids Go Free will see thousands of children across the North East travelling for free this summer. (Image: Mark Savage Photograpy) "From Berwick to Bishop Auckland and beyond, families can enjoy cheaper travel by bus and when using the Metro and Ferry too." Under the scheme, up to three children aged 11 and under can travel for free with every fare-paying adult or concessionary pass holder. This makes getting around the region more affordable during the school holidays. Last month, Ms McGuinness announced the scheme will continue until at least September 2026, covering this summer, next summer, and all school holidays in between. Ms McGuinness said: "Since launching last year, Kids Go Free has already helped so many people travel affordably and enjoy their time together during the school holidays. "We're working to make travelling using public transport cheaper and easier and I'm delighted Kids Go Free has now been extended to run during school holidays until at least September 2026. "Affordable travel is great news for everyone, but I know that family budgets are increasingly stretched, so I'm pulling out all the stops to do everything we can to reduce the burden of high transport costs for local people. "Alongside Kids Go Free, we've also rolled out a bus fare cap, which means no single bus journey can be more than a maximum of £2.50 – that's at least 50p cheaper per journey than the national cap." READ MORE: Dad stages Darlington run in aid of suicide charity in memory of his son County Durham schoolgirl goes 'viral' after turning up to prom in HGV 'Exciting new era' for historic Darlington school as redevelopment plans unveiled Bus operators have also voiced their support for the scheme. In a joint statement, Stagecoach, Go North East, and Arriva said: "We're delighted to enable families to have more cost-effective days out by bus this summer, enjoying the attractions and places of interest across the region." To view full terms and conditions and upcoming dates for the offer, visit
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