Young people in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire to hold rally in bid to save 'vital' £1 youth bus pass
On Thursday (December 18), young people from across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire will gather to urge the Combined Authority Board to continue funding the Tiger Pass.
The rally will take place at 11:15am at Pathfinder House in Huntingdon to urge the Combined Authority to retain the transport scheme that offers £1 bus fares for under 25s.
Students and youth leaders from Long Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge Regional College, Romsey Mill, Anglia Ruskin University, and Peterborough College will greet Board Members as they arrive for an Extraordinary Board Meeting at 12pm to determine the fate of the Tiger Pass.
The action is supported by a joint letter to Mayor Paul Bristow, signed by educational and civil society leaders across the county, calling on the mayor and the Combined Authority to maintain the scheme.
Supporters insist that the Tiger Pass has been instrumental in reducing transport barriers for thousands of young people, enabling them to pursue opportunities that shape their future.
The Tiger Pass scheme was introduced by former Labour CPCA Mayor Dr Nik Johnson in May 2024 to support access to affordable bus travel for people under 25 across the county through £1 single fares.
Since it began, the pass has seen significant uptake, with over 60,000 passes issued and more than 3.2 million journeys made.
With its budget initially forecast to run out in November 2025, CPCA board members agreed earlier this year to end the local bus fare cap early and use the money to extend the Tiger Pass scheme until March 2026.
Proposals are expected to be brought forward at the meeting that would see the future of the pass secured until March 2027.
Oliwia Story, Midwifery student at Anglia Ruskin University, said: “I use my Tiger Pass multiple times a day. I use it to get to and from university as well as to and from placement which is two buses. The pass makes a great difference making my daily expense only £4 compared to £9.20 a day, which is 3-4 times a week when I‘m on placement. I’m not sure how I would be able to manage if I didn’t have this.”
Steve Dann, Principal of Long Road Sixth Form College, added: “Young people are now required to remain in education or training until the age of 18. Yet, all travel support is withdrawn at 16. This creates a significant barrier for students who must travel further to access suitable courses that may not be available locally.
“This policy is unfair and restricts choice at a time when we need young people to be educated and trained to meet the demands of both the local and national economy. Providing this travel pass is not only ethically right—it is a strategic investment in the region’s future. By removing financial obstacles, we enable equal access to education, broaden opportunities, and help build a skilled workforce that drives growth and prosperity.”