Care leavers in St Helens on board with free travel initiative

Article date: 16 April 2025

The Care Leavers MetroCard is available to around 1,500 care leavers aged between 18 and 21 years old, across the city region, providing  unrestricted travel on the city region's buses, trains and cross river ferries to help them continue their education, employment, and social activities without the barrier of transport costs - while increasing independence and reducing social isolation.

Commenting on a recent visit to St Helens Central with St Helens Borough Council Leader, Councillor Anthony Burns - where they met several young people from the borough who have experienced life in care and have recently received their passes - Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said:

 "Young people leaving care often face difficulties settling into their adult lives. We know that access to free travel can have a hugely positive impact on their ability to connect with opportunity, and experience some of those things we take for granted - like shopping or getting to appointments.

"We already have the most generous concessionary scheme in the country, and the Care Leavers MetroCard is a vital part of our commitment to ensuring that young people who have left the care system are not left behind.

"This pass will give them the freedom they need to explore opportunities, access education, and socialise - all key aspects of building a successful and fulfilling life. I'm incredibly proud that we're able to offer this support to young people across our region - including in St Helens - as they move forward with the next chapter of their lives."

Councillor Anthony Burns, who is also the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority's Cabinet Member for Net Zero added: "Access to reliable, free transport can be a game-changer for young people leaving care. It removes one of the biggest barriers they face - getting to work, education, or just staying connected with friends and support networks. 

"We're proud to be working with the Combined Authority to give our care leavers the independence and opportunities they deserve, while also promoting greener, more sustainable travel across our region."

Commenting on how much of a difference the passes are making to their lives, 18-year-old Tom from Rainford, who spent two years being looked after by St Helens Borough Council and has recently moved to his own tenancy, said:

 "The cost-of-living crisis has meant that I have had to dig deep so this card will enable me to save much needed money on commutes to work."

Mustafa, also 18 from St Helens, added: "The pass is a real help for me to get to college in Liverpool, go somewhere else to play football and meet up with friends."

Councillor Nova Charlton, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "Some of these young people have faced a lot of adversity and our responsibility as corporate parents is to ease their transition to adulthood and do what we can to remove the barriers they face."

Access to the Care Leavers MetroCard is arranged automatically through their Local Authorities as the young person reaches their 18th birthday.