A broad coalition of Cambridgeshire school leaders, college principals, faith figures and civic organisations has called on Mayor Paul Bristow to reaffirm his commitment to the Tiger Pass, warning that any weakening of the popular £1 bus fare scheme would harm thousands of young people across the region.
In a strongly worded letter sent to the Mayor late last week, leaders from major educational institutions—including Long Road Sixth Form College, Parkside Community College, Cambridge Regional College, the Inspire Education Group, the Meridian Trust and several primary and secondary schools—urged him not to scale back the scheme, which currently provides capped £1 bus fares for all under-25s.
The Tiger Pass, introduced in May 2024 under former Mayor Dr Nik Johnson, was designed to make travel more affordable for young people accessing education, employment, social activities and essential services. It offers savings of £20 a week or more for regular bus users.
After funding for the original scheme was due to run out, the newly elected Mayor Bristow agreed to extend it to March 2026.
However, proposals for post-March changes have raised fears that the scheme could be diluted.
The letter’s signatories insist that the Tiger Pass must remain in its current form for the duration of the Mayor’s term and highlight the Combined Authority’s forthcoming bus franchise as an ideal moment to expand—rather than shrink—youth access to sustainable travel.
“Transport should never be a barrier to learning”
The coalition’s message is unequivocal. “Transport should never be a barrier to learning and opportunity,” they write. “By retaining the Tiger Pass, we can ensure that young people continue to benefit from affordable, sustainable travel options.”
The letter emphasises four core benefits:
- Affordability: predictable, low-cost travel to school, college, work placements and apprenticeships.
- Accessibility: a simple, free application process with widespread acceptance by operators.
- Independence: particularly for rural and suburban young people reliant on public transport.
- Sustainability: encouraging modal shift from cars to public transport, easing congestion.
Signatories also argue that the forthcoming shift to franchised bus services strengthens the case for retaining the £1 cap. Under franchising, the Combined Authority would set all fares and receive all fare revenue.
Increasing bus use among young people—who tend to become long-term public transport users—is presented as both socially beneficial and financially prudent.
Young people prepare to give evidence at crucial December meeting
Alongside their letter, the coalition has published a report titled Young People Say They Depend on the Tiger Pass, featuring testimonies from students at Anglia Ruskin University, Long Road Sixth Form College, Peterborough College, Stamford College, University Centre Peterborough and young people interviewed at bus stops across Cambridge.
Young leaders from these institutions plan to attend the Combined Authority’s Extraordinary Board Meeting on 18 December, where the future of the Tiger Pass will be decided. They intend to speak directly to board members about the consequences of any reduction.
The testimonies paint a stark picture of what losing the pass would mean. Students describe the scheme as a “lifeline,” particularly amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Many say they rely on it to attend college, reach part-time jobs, travel to placements, access healthcare, maintain social connections and support their mental health.
One student told researchers: “This bus pass is a major source of relief for myself and many of my peers… It relieves the burden on our parents financially so that money that would have been spent on transport can be used for feeding, heating and bills.”
Another student from Long Road Sixth Form College said simply: “Without it I would not be able to travel to college and get a full education.”
A scheme linked to attendance, attainment and economic opportunity
The report reveals that many students would struggle to maintain college attendance without the pass. Some said they would be forced to walk long distances in winter darkness to save money; others feared that lateness caused by unaffordable transport could jeopardise their place on courses.
Work placements—essential components of many vocational and post-16 qualifications—were also highlighted.
Several students said they would be unable to meet placement travel costs without the Pass, threatening both their qualifications and future employment prospects.
Part-time work, too, would become less viable. “If I was paying more to get to and from work, there would be no point working,” said one 17-year-old from Huntingdon.
The pass also supports young people with disabilities. An ARU student with POTS explained that the pass makes daily travel feasible: “I am not eligible for any government help, so the Tiger Pass means I can get around on my own without having to spend a fortune.”
Many described the scheme’s social benefits. The Tiger Pass allows young people—particularly in rural areas—to avoid isolation and maintain friendships.
“When I didn’t have many friends I got very lonely,” said an under-19 from Newmarket. “It keeps good mental health if you can see your friends.”
A growing political battle
Political pressure on Mayor Bristow is mounting. Liberal Democrats have publicly challenged the Mayor’s suggestion that funding constraints require changes to the scheme.
Cllr Alex Beckett, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Highways and Transport Committee, said the Mayor’s priorities are inconsistent: “The Tiger Pass has transformed access to education and work… The Mayor says there’s no money to keep it fully funded yet at the same time he is promoting the idea of free car parking in Peterborough.
“That is not a fair or balanced approach.”
South Cambridgeshire District Council Cabinet Member Cllr Peter McDonald warned against “watering down” the scheme, saying: “Affordable bus travel supports the whole region’s economy and future.
“We’ll continue fighting to keep the Tiger Pass strong, simple and accessible.”
Peterborough City Council Leader Cllr Shabina Qayyum echoed that message: “As long as I am Council Leader… we will not accept a compromised version of the Tiger Pass. It must remain.”
A regional civic alliance behind the campaign
The coalition calling for the Tiger Pass to be retained includes members and allies of Cambridge and Peterborough Citizens, part of Citizens UK, the country’s largest civic alliance.
Representing schools, colleges, faith groups, charities and community organisations, the group has been campaigning on affordable transport for several years.
Tim Hall, Organiser for Cambridge Citizens, said the testimonies make clear that reductions to the scheme would be harmful: “Young people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are telling us the same thing—this scheme is essential.
“It gets them to college, to work, to medical appointments, to their friends. Cutting it would close doors.”
Looking ahead
A final decision on the future of the Tiger Pass is expected early next year. For now, the coalition continues to press its case and hopes the Mayor will honour earlier commitments.
Their message is simple: affordable transport underpins opportunity. As one student put it: “Without this card, I’d be significantly more isolated, miss out on vital opportunities, and my mental health would really struggle.”
Whether the Tiger Pass remains in its current form may depend on how much weight the Mayor gives to the voices now speaking—loudly and in unison—on behalf of the region’s young people.
FULL LIST OF SCHOOL HEADS & PRINCIPALS SUPPORTING THE TIGER PASS
Signatories (Head Teachers / Principals / Education Leaders)
- Steve Dann, Principal, Long Road Sixth Form College
- Dee Wallace, Head Teacher, Parkside Community College
- Rae Snape, Head Teacher, Milton Road Primary School
- Andy Daly, Executive Principal, Meridian Trust
- Neil Perry, CEO, Romsey Mill
- Rev’d Imogen Nay, Vicar, St Paul’s Church, Cambridge
- Sarah Hughes, Campaign Officer, Cambridge Sustainable Travel Alliance
- The Venerable Alex Hughes, Archdeacon of Cambridge, Diocese of Ely
- Dr Elizabeth Philips, Director of Education and Engagement, Woolf Institute
- Dr Louise Jenkins, Head of School of Midwifery & Community Health, ARU
Allies (Heads, Principals, Senior Leaders)
- Mark Robertson, Principal & Chief Executive, Cambridge Regional College
- Alistair Day, Head Teacher, St Bede’s Inter-Church School, Cambridge
- Chris Tooley, Head Teacher, Netherhall School
- Colleen Lehane, Senior Deputy Head & DSL, Chesterton School
- Danielle Pacey, Principal, Cambridge College of Science & Technology
- Sarah Young, Vice Principal (Student & Staff Experience), Inspire Education Group
- Mark Woods, CEO, Meridian Trust
- Stuart Dawks, CEO, PECT
- Scott Hudson, CEO, Thomas Deacon Academy Trust
- Yasmin Ilahi, Co-director, GLADCA
- Sarah Wilson, Peterborough Museum
- Adrian Oates, Head of Funding & Partnerships, Nene Park Trust
- Rebecca Bright, Assistant Principal, Eye Primary School
