More than three million £1 fares have now been sold across the region.
Students at Askham Bryan College joined the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith and Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council, to celebrate the milestone.
Since its introduction in York in September 2023, the fare subsidy has helped to open up opportunities for young people. This, alongside the Government’s recent announcement of free bus travel for 5 to 15-year-olds during August, offers an affordable way to travel.
The initiative was expanded to include North Yorkshire in September 2024, and the Mayor committed to continuing the subsidy across the whole region in April 2025.
David Skaith, York and North Yorkshire Mayor said:
Every young person should be able to get to school, work and spend time with friends without the cost of travel holding them back.
Buses are a lifeline for many young people across York and North Yorkshire, which is why protecting the £1 fare cap for under-19s has been a priority. We’re continuing to support affordable travel for young people across the region, working alongside national initiatives like the recent announcement yesterday that the Government will provide free summer bus travel for younger children.
Affordable, reliable and accessible public transport is central to our vision for York and North Yorkshire. By improving sustainable travel options and strengthening connections between our communities, we can help more people access education, jobs and the opportunities they deserve.
Among those to benefit most from the £1 fare are people aged 16 to 18, who would otherwise pay adult prices.
Recent independent passenger research shows strong satisfaction levels among young bus users in the region.
A survey by Transport Focus found that passenger satisfaction among 16 to 25 year old bus users in York and North Yorkshire was 83 per cent, compared to an England average of 80 per cent.
Overall journey satisfaction in the region was 87 per cent, compared to the national average of 85 per cent, while York and North Yorkshire also scored higher than the England average for value for money.
Dr Tim Whitaker, Principal and Chief Executive, Askham Bryan College said:
Affordable, reliable transport can make a transformative difference to young people’s lives. At Askham Bryan College, we know that the cost of travel can sometimes be a barrier to accessing education, training and enrichment opportunities, particularly for students travelling from rural communities across York and North Yorkshire.
The £1 fare scheme has helped thousands of young people travel more independently and confidently, making it easier for them to get to college, work placements, social activities and part-time jobs. Reaching the milestone of three million journeys is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates the real value the scheme is delivering for our communities.
The continued commitment to the funding from the Mayor is very welcome, as we deliver a variety of projects to make buses one of the most convenient ways to get around York.”
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, Cllr Malcolm Taylor, said:
For many young people across North Yorkshire and particularly those living in our rural communities, access to affordable transport can make a real difference to their independence and ability to take part in everyday life.
Reliable bus services are often a vital link, particularly where distances are greater and travel options are more limited.
This scheme is helping to make those journeys more achievable, whether that’s getting to college, training, or meeting friends. Encouraging greater use of public transport in rural areas also supports our wider aim of strengthening connections between communities and ensuring no one is left behind because of where they live.
