London Northwestern Railway supports Care Leavers MetroCard scheme in Liverpool

• Free travel on city region buses, trains and ferries for care leavers, aged 18-21, including London Northwestern Railway services in the region
• Removes barriers to education, employment and social activities
• Aids independence and reduce isolation
• More than 1,500 people eligible across city region’s six boroughs
• Young care leaver says: ‘I have been given my freedom’

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram today launched a new initiative giving care leavers free access to public transport across the Liverpool City Region.

The Care Leavers MetroCard is available to around 1,500 care leavers aged between 18 and 21 years old from across the city region’s five boroughs and city and is designed to ensure that people leaving the care system have access to opportunities and are not left behind.

With unrestricted travel on the city region’s buses, train and ferries, the MetroCard offers free travel on London Northwestern Railway (LNR) services in the region and will help care leavers to continue their education, employment, and social activities without the barrier of transport costs.

It’s also designed to increase independence and reduce isolation.

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 as they move forward with the next chapter of their lives.”

Mayor Rotheram launched the Care Leavers MetroCard at Liverpool’s Central Station where he was met by care leavers who had received their free pass in recent days.

They spoke of the difference it would make to their lives.

Tyler Preistley said: “I now have the freedom I need to be able to socialise and travel – it’s such an important part of my life.

“Being able to go anywhere without worrying about transport costs has opened up so many new opportunities for me. It makes a real difference to my daily life and has taken away so much of the financial stress associated with using public transport.

“I feel privileged to be one of the first people to experience this new initiative.”

The Care Leavers MetroCard is a vital tool to support young care leavers as they transition to adulthood. By offering free access to public transport during day and night, the initiative ensures care leavers can stay connected, pursue educational and career opportunities, and become more integrated into their local communities.

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at LNR, said: “We are proud to support this fantastic initiative. Public transport offers vital independence and connectivity for so many. By making it free for care leavers in Liverpool, we’re helping to give them the best start at adulthood. This MetroCard makes it simple to travel to further education or employment opportunities and ensures they can stay connected with loved ones too.”

Access to the Care Leavers Travel Pass is arranged automatically through their Local Authority as the young person reaches their 18^th birthday.