Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

THE Liverpool City Region's transformational free travel for care leavers scheme is off to a flying start, with a huge take up in the 1st 3 months.

With over 40,000 journeys made since it was launched by the Region's Mayor Steve Rotheram in March, the initiative is providing essential support, helping care leavers aged:- 18 to 21, navigate their new lives with greater confidence and freedom.

For young people leaving the care system, the transition to independent adulthood can present significant challenges, often including unexpected financial hurdles.

In the Liverpool City Region, the free travel pass removes a significant barrier to vital opportunities, giving young care leavers the freedom to get about on their terms, without having to worry about the cost or how they'll be judged

Mayor Rotheram introduced the scheme in March with a clear aim: to make sure no young person leaving care is held back simply because they can't afford to get the bus or the train.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, commented:- "When I pledged to introduce our care leavers travel pass, it was because I believed it could make a real difference to young people navigating their transition into adulthood. We know that free, reliable travel can open up a world of opportunity; whether it's getting to College, attending a job interview, or simply enjoying the everyday freedoms that many of us take for granted. This pass gives care leavers the independence to explore every part of our City Region; and build a happy, successful future for themselves. I'm incredibly proud that we're standing by our young people and supporting them as they take those next important steps."

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said:- "It's been fantastic to see how much the travel passes have been used already and hear directly from the care leavers about the positive effect it is having on their lives. We want to be able to support our young people, and it speaks volumes of the Combined Authority and the six districts that we have been able to work together and support young people, helping them find easier access to jobs and education through accessible transport. But it's not just about that, we also want them to go out and have fun without worrying about how they'll get around. And we can offer them that."

Since the launch, more than 1,200 passes have been issued to the 1,500 eligible care leavers, and almost 800 young people have gone on to register and use their pass.

Most of the journeys are directly linked to employment, training, or support services, demonstrating the scheme's vital role in supporting successful transitions into adulthood. The young people have reported improved confidence, reduced isolation, and enhanced wellbeing.

The scheme was designed with care leavers and local authority support teams, together with transport operators.

Here's what some of the young people benefiting from the scheme have to say:

Kira Smith said:- "I'm made up to have been given a travel pass. This will save me a load of money and help me get out of the house which is something I have been struggling to do. It's also going to be a real big support to get me to College."

Tyler Priestley said:- "I think the travel passes are amazing, they have given me freedom to go more places and look at jobs in different areas. I also feel safe when I go anywhere, as I know I can always get back home. As I'm not working at the moment and have to get to lots of appointments, it has helped me get to my GP, universal credit appointments, and therapy sessions without worrying about the cost."

While the pass is already making a real difference for young people, it's also helping our wider community. By choosing buses, trains, and ferries over cars or taxis, these journeys are saving carbon, building greener habits, and bringing people closer to the services and each other, right across the Region.

With early results so promising, the Combined Authority and its partners are working to grow the scheme, encouraging more sign-ups through Personal Advisors, making sure travel is easy and consistent no matter where in the Region you live, and looking at how we can wrap in extra support like help with digital access too.