Children are can travel on North East buses for free this Easter thanks to special offers launched at the start of the school holidays.
Fare-paying customers will be able to take up to three children aged 11 and under for free on public transport in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Durham until May 7. The Metro and Shields Ferry already have in place a permanent deal for people to take the kids for free when they travel.
Now Easter offers have been launched by bus companies Arriva North East, Go North East and Stagecoach North East as part of a new partnership with councils to grow sustainable public transport and fight the climate emergency.
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Tobyn Hughes, managing director of Transport North East, said: "We're working in partnership with the bus operators and Nexus to make public transport cheaper, easier and greener – by far the best way to travel around our amazing region. It's great news that our region's bus companies are expanding this great value offer, already available on the Metro and the Shields Ferry, to include buses.
"People travelling with children can enjoy great value travel on public transport across Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and County Durham. If you’re travelling by any combination of bus, Metro and the Shields Ferry, each fare-paying adult can bring along up to three children aged 11 and under for free.
"This offer will help families to get out and about on public transport more affordably over the Easter break, enjoying our fantastic region whilst maintaining a low carbon footprint."
Each bus company has introduced its own offer and customers should check on board or via company websites and social media for detailed terms and conditions. Customers with Network One tickets including Day Rover and Explorer can also take up the offer. Some season tickets are excluded from offers, as well as customers who do not pay for their travel.
Nexus, which oversees transport in Tyne and Wear, is extending the offer to community bus services it contracts, alongside its existing Take The Kids For Free promise on Metro and the Shields Ferry.
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Steve Walker, managing director at Stagecoach North East, said: "After such a challenging couple of years, we're delighted to introduce this free travel offer for children travelling with a fare-paying adult, allowing families to explore the many great spaces on offer which our buses serve across Tyne and Wear. As the weather starts to improve and families get back to spending time together, it's time to leave the car at home, save some money and keep the kids entertained this April.
"This free travel offer for children provides families with a great opportunity to make the most of our connected public transport, whether it is to meet up with friends, visit family members or experience all that the region has to offer."
Stephen King, commercial director at Go North East, added: "The Easter Holidays are always a great opportunity to get out with the kids as a family or with friends and relatives. The kids go free offer across our regional bus network and with our Network One partners which includes Stagecoach, Arriva and Tyne & Wear Metro, enables everyone to get out and about without the worry of rising fuel costs this Easter to explore this wonderful region and the attractions, towns and cities it has to offer."
