Introduced in summer 2021, the Take the Kids for Free price promise on the Tyne and Wear Metro has continued to give affordable transport options to families and it has been confirmed that in this period almost one million journeys. The offer allow up to three children under the age of 12 to travel with a fare paying adult, allowing families to travel cheaper across the region.
The offer was originally introduced in 2020 for weekend travel only but the popularity of the scheme led it to being extended to all day and every day from the summer of 2021. Its available as long as there is a fare paying adult aged 18 or over in possession of a valid ticket or validated smartcard. The accompanying children don’t need to have a ticket.
Cllr Martin Gannon, Chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, said: “In order to reduce carbon emissions and congestion on our region’s roads, it is essential to make public transport as convenient and affordable as possible.
“It’s absolutely brilliant to see that we are close to the one million milestone of free Metro journeys for kids. This offer has undoubtedly helped local families who are facing the harsh reality of the cost-of-living crisis. Public transport is an excellent way for families who live in Tyne and Wear to explore, and all the better that it provides a fun adventure for kids who we know love getting on the Metro.”
Huw Lewis, Customer Services Director at Nexus, added: “Take the kids for free is a real success story, and is close to generating a million Metro journeys as families make the most of a great value price promise, all day and every day.
“Metro was the first operator in the region to bring in a kids go free promise and it has set a benchmark for other public transport operators to follow, both here in our region, and hopefully in other parts of the country too. It helps more people enjoy the convenience, great value and sustainability of public transport, as well as having great days out for families.”
- Details on Take the Kids for Free is available at https://www.nexus.org.uk/metro/take-kids-free