Tiger Pass scheme could be extended until 2027

A Cambridgeshire bus pass scheme could be extended until spring 2027.

The Tiger Pass was introduced last year and allows people under 25 to travel for £1 single fares across the county.

Paul Bristow, mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, has asked Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority to keep the scheme in place until March 2027.

The proposal is set to be discussed by the authority on 18 December.

Conservative mayor Bristow said: "For many, it's not just a ticket to school or work but a way to see friends, take part in sport and leisure, and live life without worrying about the cost of travel."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, about 60,000 passes have been issued and about 3.2 million Tiger Pass journeys have been taken.

The council has already agreed to end the local bus fare cap early and use the money to fund the scheme until March next year.

A report to the authority states that longer-term funding to fully support the ongoing cost of the scheme had not been identified.

Peterborough City Council leader Shabina Qayyum said 50 organisations had urged the mayor to protect the scheme.

"Peterborough has been fundamental to this because we are one of the transport authorities and we have said that we won't compromise on an alternative to the Tiger Pass in its current form," said the Labour councillor.

Cameron Holloway, the Labour leader of Cambridge City Council, said the authority would "not support any cuts" to the scheme.

He added: "The value of the Tiger Pass has been very clearly underlined by school heads joining with community leaders and young people themselves to call for the pass to be retained."

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