Care leavers aged 18-25 to receive half-price bus and tram travel in London in Sadiq’s new ‘fare deal for care leavers’

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced that care leavers aged between 18 and 25, who live in London, will be able to apply to receive half price bus and tram travel from early 2024.This decision will give more young people the helping hand they need to thrive at a crucial period in their lives.

Sadiq’s ‘fare deal for care leavers’ will directly support those who have left care after turning 18, and offer them more affordable travel options as they transition to independent living.

The offer will sit alongside other travel benefits provided by TfL such as the Job Seekers Allowance and 60+ concessions, and will help enable care leavers to make the most of the Mayor’s Hopper Fare, which allows unlimited bus and tram journeys within an hour for the price of a single journey.

Despite improvements over the last decade, London’s children in care still face many obstacles. Many care leavers remain vulnerable after leaving care, and the complex challenges they face mean that fewer care leavers go onto further training or university than those who haven’t lived in care.  

Children who grow up in care are three times less likely to be in education, employment or training than their peers. Analysis by the Children’s Society has found that the costs – including travel costs - of remaining in education, or seeking a job or apprenticeship can be higher for care leavers, a problem this concession is designed to overcome.

Alongside this new discount City Hall continues to support those in care through a range of schemes. In 2018, the Mayor of London signed the GLA up to the Care Leaver Covenant which provides a framework for developing consistency, breadth and quality in the support offered to London’s care leavers. Each London borough currently has a care leaver offer, but these are individual to each area and therefore the support offered varies. By adopting a common core offer across London, with cross border collaboration and multi-agency working, care leavers can receive better support in terms of access to health, education, transport, housing and mentoring.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “Leaving care can be very challenging or daunting for young adults who feel unprepared for the transition to independent living. Many care leavers lack the appropriate resources to continue training or gain meaningful employment once leaving care, which can, in turn, lead to both financial and emotional hardship.

“I am determined to improve the London-wide offer for care leavers, and our new ‘are deal for care-leavers’ will give these young people a helping hand to thrive in this next stage of their lives, building a better, fairer and more prosperous London for everyone.”

Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at Transport for London said: “We are keen to ensure that fares on public transport remain as affordable as possible, while still ensuring TfL can continue to run clean, green and safe services and support London’s continued economic recovery. Alongside daily and weekly capping, and the Hopper fare, our wide range of concessions are a big part of our inclusive transport offer and we are delighted to be able to offer this new option from spring 2024 to help care leavers transition to independent living.

Lucy Ivankovic, Interim Head of London Children's Services, Barnardo's, said: “We are absolutely delighted Transport for London will be offering care leavers discounted travel on buses and trams. Barnardo's Transport for Freedom campaign has been calling for transport authorities to create bespoke schemes for care leavers who are struggling with the cost-of-living and do not have the 'bank of mum and dad' to top up their fare. This new scheme introduced in London will be a lifeline for care leavers who rely on public transport to access education and employment, and will help to reduce their isolation and loneliness.”

Care experienced young person, Sonny (21) who is on the TfL Youth Board, said: "This new concession will be incredibly useful to so many care experienced young people like me. It’s scary to leave care and with how tough it can sometimes be as a care leaver to study and find work, this is going to really help so many people be more financially secure.”

Okela Douglas, Director, Sister System, said: “We applaud and celebrate the Mayors recognition of the stark socio-economic gap that care affected young people have to grapple with on a daily basis. As London's only organisation that works exclusively with girls affected by care, we appreciate this effort to enhance their access towards enabling greater independence and access to opportunities for them to thrive. This initiative marks the first of many steps needed to bridge the gap between care affected young people and mainstream society. Sister Systems Big Sister, Allison P is motivated by this news, sharing with me that it will enable her to take part in activities and opportunities across our capital, opportunities previously closed to her.”

Zhane Decembre and Louisa Foyle, Pan London CiCC, Partnership for Young London, said: “The Pan London Children in Care Council at Partnership for Young London are pleased to have the TfL offer approved amongst for all care leavers across London. This offer will massively contribute to care leavers who are on a low income as they essentially have little support. Ultimately this is the one huge step within the Pan London Compact for Care Leavers which we hope to continue to expand and create as many new offers for care leavers across London creating consistency for people and showing that they really matter’

“This initiative not only eases the financial burden on care leavers but also fosters a sense of acceptance and recognition within society. It's a positive stride towards improving their access to essential transportation services. This effort reflects a commitment to equality and social equity for all members of our community it also begins with every journey matters when you are care experienced.

Jacqui McShannon, Strategic Director Children's Services and ALDCS Strategic Lead for Care Leaving, Hammersmith and Fulham, said: “London's Directors of Children's Services share the strong commitment to an enhanced and consistent offer to support all care experienced young people across London. We are proud to be part of the pan London partnership led by care experienced young people, and to be working so effectively with the GLA,  voluntary, statutory, and business partners to deliver our joint ambition to improve the lives of all of London's cared for children and young people.” 

Ends

Notes to editors:

• The application process for the new 18-25 care leaver concession will open early next year and will be supported by targeted communications from local councils to those eligible in,or have recently left care. Care leavers wishing to apply for the concession will need to liaise with their responsible borough, who will then provide eligibility information to TfL.  
• In line with other concessions offered by TfL, the application process will be online via the TfL website and an application fee would apply.
• TfL will work with London Councils via the London Innovation and Improvement Alliance (LIIA), who represent all 33 London boroughs, to check eligibility during processing.
• Analysis by The Children’s Society suggests that across London there are 15,270[1] care leavers aged 18-25 living in London, many of whom will often find it difficult to navigate living independently alongside having a job, undertaking training, or remaining in the education system post-18. The independent review of children’s social care, published in May 2022, noted that the leaving care grant at the value of £2,000 offered to care leavers, used to set up a first home, has not been updated in guidance since 2013 and has failed to keep pace with inflation or match the average cost of furnishing a first home. Reducing travel costs should help to make budgeting easier for care leavers; and to improve their access to education, employment and training opportunities.