The popular scheme has been extended to provide affordable travel to young people
Joe Griffin, Local Democracy Reporter
16:54, 18 Dec 2025
Mayor Paul Bristow with students and youth leaders (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
A popular bus pass scheme funded by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) has been extended until March 2027.
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.
Members of the CPCA board, made up of local authority representatives from across the county, met on Thursday, December 18, and approved the retention of the Tiger Pass scheme in its current form.
Members also noted the uncertainty around the national bus fare cap after March 2027. They agreed to develop options and scenarios for April 2027 and beyond.
Conservative CPCA Mayor Paul Bristow said: “I’m pleased the board has agreed my plan to secure the Tiger Pass. I’ve spent time speaking directly to young people, and they’ve been very clear about what the Tiger Pass means to them.
“It’s not just about getting to school, college or work, it’s about easing pressure on family finances, giving parents peace of mind, and allowing young people to see friends, take part in activities and feel more independent.
“The government hike to the national bus fare cap from £2 to £3 means instead of a £1 subsidy for every young person using the bus it is now £2. The government can’t hike fares again.
“I’m committed to working with members, operators and partners on a longer-term plan that keeps reduced fares for young people and pressing the Government to keep the bus fare cap.”
Since it began, the Tiger Pass has seen significant uptake, with over 60,000 passes issued and more than 3.2 million journeys made.
Students and youth leaders from Long Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge Regional College, and other schools attended the board meeting to show their support for the scheme.
“As students we need affordable, reliable bus services both to get to college, get to part-time work and reach other activities outside college that let us develop independence, confidence and skills,” one student said.
A joint letter to the mayor signed by educational and civil society leaders across the county also called on the CPCA to maintain the scheme.
It was heard at the meeting how the Tiger Pass had not just been beneficial for young people in terms of education and work, but also for their social lives and independence.
Peterborough City Council’s administration was among those that lobbied for the extension of the Tiger Pass in its current form.
The authority’s Labour leader Cllr Shabina Qayyum told board members: “I’d like to congratulate the 50 organisations and their representative bodies that wrote to the mayor.
“I think that the gravity of the campaign and the points that you raised made everybody sit up and listen. So actually, credit should go to you first of all for making sure that this pass is now hopefully sustainable in the future.”
Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council increased their transport levies to help contribute towards some of the funding for the scheme.
Although the scheme will be funded until March 2027, some board members reiterated the fact that a more sustainable and longer term solution was still needed.
Fenland District Council’s Conservative leader Cllr Chris Boden said: “We have to avoid our jubilation because this is a temporary measure. We still haven’t got a sustainable position or guaranteed position so far as the Tiger Pass is concerned beyond March 2027.”
Speaking about the next 12 to 18 months, Cllr Cameron Holloway, Labour leader of Cambridge City Council, said: “We need to use that time well, bearing in mind other factors, to make sure we are developing opportunities and options for a more sustainable continuation of the Tiger Pass.”
