More affordable travel across the region

The Mayor’s Fares are driving change.

Bus travel in the North East was up by almost 9 million journeys in 2025 – an 8% increase, far outpacing the 1% national growth.
The introduction of the Mayor’s Fares to Metro heralds the biggest and most significant change to Metro fares for more than 20 years. It will see the Mayor using £1m of funding to cut the cost of travel and grow Metro passenger numbers.

Mayor Kim said: “I pledged to make transport affordable, to take away the barriers, and people get more people on board. The proof is in the numbers: millions more bus journeys are being made across the North East.

“I’m delighted we’re bringing Mayor’s Fares to Metro. Whether you travel by bus or Metro the most you’ll pay for a single ticket in the North East is now £2.50, saving Metro passengers up to £2.60 for a single journey.” – North East Mayor Kim McGuinness

The Mayor’s Fares cover all BSIP tickets, Get Round For A £1, Adult fares, £2.50 single cap and Kids Go Free on the bus. From April 1 2026, it also includes price caps for travelling on Metro and the Shields Ferry.

Adults will continue to benefit from a £2.50 single fare, a £7.50 regionwide day ticket covering buses, Metro and the Shields Ferry, plus £6 Day Rover tickets giving unlimited bus travel in County Durham or Northumberland.

All of these tickets are helping to reduce the cost of travel by bus, Metro and Ferry in the North East.