A broad coalition of head teachers, college principals, faith leaders and civic organisations has called on Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor Paul Bristow to guarantee the future of the Tiger Pass – the £1 bus fare scheme for under-25s that many young people say is essential to accessing education, work and community life.
In a letter sent on 27 November, signatories warned of “concern over potential reductions in the scope of the Tiger Pass” and urged the mayor to commit to protecting it for the remainder of his term. The pass caps fares for young people at £1 per journey and, according to the group, typically saves regular users £20 or more each week.
“Transport should never be a barrier to learning and opportunity,” the letter states. “By retaining the Tiger Pass, we can ensure that young people continue to benefit from affordable, sustainable travel options.”
The scheme, launched in May 2024, has so far issued more than 45,000 passes and supported around 1.8 million journeys. Its simplicity – a free application accepted by multiple bus operators – and its reach across rural and suburban areas have made it one of the Combined Authority’s most popular interventions.
Funding uncertainty and political clashes
But the Tiger Pass has been under repeated financial pressure. The budget was originally forecast to run out in November 2025, sparking a series of political rows earlier this year. The mayor proposed ending the local bus fare cap early to redirect funds into extending the Tiger Pass, while Labour councillors argued that underspends and internal savings could be used instead. After months of debate, the Combined Authority Board voted unanimously in July to end the fare cap on 31 October and extend the Tiger Pass until March 2026, with further options for a permanent scheme due to be explored this autumn.
It is against that backdrop that Cambridge and Peterborough Citizens – which includes schools, colleges, churches and community groups – has stepped in. Signatories to the new letter include leaders from Long Road Sixth Form College, Thomas Deacon Academy, Parkside Community College, the Inspire Educational Group, Milton Road Primary School, Cambridge Regional College, the Meridian Trust, Romsey Mill and several faith organisations.
The coalition highlights what it sees as a critical moment: with new bus franchise agreements approaching, the Combined Authority has the chance to reshape services and boost ridership at the same time. Retaining the Tiger Pass, they argue, would complement those plans, helping young people reach schools, apprenticeships, jobs and social activities while supporting a shift to greener transport.
Concerns over proposed future restrictions
Their concerns reflect the uncertainty surrounding the scheme after March 2026. Proposals discussed over the summer include restricting eligibility to under-19s, limiting the pass only to those in education or training, or removing cross-boundary travel altogether. Councillors from all parties have acknowledged the dilemma: how to create a sustainable long-term subsidy without cutting off young people who rely on buses for work, care responsibilities or low-paid jobs.
Several councillors warned that removing cross-boundary journeys could cause immediate financial pain for those living near county borders. Others questioned whether young people in work – often without access to cars – would be excluded under narrower eligibility rules. Officers admitted that no assessment had yet been carried out on the impact of these changes.
Young leaders to give evidence before crucial vote
The coalition’s young leaders are expected to attend the Extraordinary Combined Authority Board meeting on 18 December, where a decision on the pass’s future will be taken. They plan to present testimonies gathered in a new report, Young People Say They Depend on the Tiger Pass, which outlines how reductions to the scheme would affect their daily lives.
For many of these young people, the stakes are high. A jump from £1 to the standard £3 single fare would triple commuting costs overnight. For those travelling several times a day between school, work experience, part-time jobs and family commitments, the pass is not a bonus but a necessity.
A call for long-term commitment
The coalition’s message to Mayor Bristow is clear: at a time when the region faces rising living costs and patchy public transport, maintaining affordable travel for young people is a practical investment in the county’s future workforce and its social fabric.
The mayor has previously said he wants the Tiger Pass to become a “permanent fixture” of the area’s transport network. The question now is whether the scheme will be preserved in its current form – or reshaped in ways that risk leaving many young people behind.
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