More than 17,000 young people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have applied for new bus passes offering fares for just £1. Since launch by the Combined Authority in May, Tiger bus passes are already making a big impact, with 15,821 in the hands of under 25s so far.
According to the latest figures, 12,200 journeys were made using the passes in the first month of the scheme alone, with the numbers growing daily. With fares normally £2, each journey using the pass saves users £1.
The free passes, available to under 25s from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, give young people a helping hand to travel more affordably to places of education and training, jobs, shopping, and meeting friends and family.
The Tiger passes are part of a first phase of a package of improvements by the Combined Authority to improve bus services across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. They include 30 new or improved bus routes coming this autumn.
Did you know 17,000 residents have cut their bus travel to just £1 per trip ?
We are delighted to announce 17,000 young people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have now applied for new bus passes offering fares for just £1.
Read more ▶️ https://t.co/T5PdpBoGaT pic.twitter.com/HjIPGrgj44
— Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (@CambsPboroCA) August 12, 2024
Kelly Jesus, of Peterborough, is a student at ARU Peterborough, the city’s new university.
She said: “I don’t drive yet so I rely on buses a lot. That means whenever I’m going to a conference, event, work experience or a training session, I would normally spend £2 to get there and £2 back.
“Multiplied over the month, it is a lot of money which I have now been able to halve. It is a weight off my mind and has freed me up to do more things I enjoy. I applied online and it arrived that same week. I would recommend it to anyone.”
Zion Ayokunnu, 23, of St Neots who recently graduated with a Masters in International Business from ARU Peterborough and regularly travels to Addenbrooke’s Hospital where he works part time for the NHS.
"We've had over 16,000 already out there, and 17,000 people applied"
Deputy Mayor of the @CambsPboroCA, @anna4labour, told That's TV about the success of their Tiger Bus Pass. pic.twitter.com/8IGu6SMRK4
— That's TV West Anglia (@ThatsWestAnglia) August 8, 2024
Zion said: “After a month of consistent use, it has halved the expense of my daily commute to work, which was usually £8 per day, and even more when attending conferences, events, or special meetings in other locations.
“The cumulative savings compared to previous months without the pass have really made a difference. Additionally, it’s uplifting to see other young passengers in the bus queue with me using their Tiger passes.
“Young people typically start their careers with a lot of travel and knowing that I’m saving makes the ride feel more enjoyable. As regards the Tiger Pass, registration and delivery were simple and quick, so I totally recommend it to everyone.”
All about the #TigerBusPass – getting out and about on the bus
a Mayor’s Fare of £1 for Under 25s on bus journey’s in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough https://t.co/fH9HVffNFJ
— Mayor Dr Nik Johnson (@NikJohnsonCA) August 10, 2024
Mayor Dr Nik Johnson said: “The £1 Tiger bus pass is making a real difference to young people’s day to-day lives already. To have more nearly 16,000 Tiger passes in the hands of young people so soon is a clear sign of how needed this scheme was.”
Tiger bus passes are completely free to apply for, requiring only a photo and proof of age. Once users have the pass, they simply need to have it ready when boarding. To find out more and apply, go to https://cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk/onepoundbusfare/
As a new scheme the Combined Authority wants feedback from users to see how it can be improved. Fill in the feedback form: Tiger Bus Pass Feedback Form – Ages 16-25 (office.com)
For parents or guardians of Tiger pass users, there is a separate feedback form: Online Feedback Form: £1 Tiger Bus Pass (For Parents) (office.com)
The Combined Authority is also keen to see examples of Tiger bus pass use on social media, using the hashtag #tigerbuspass.
