Care leavers aged 18-25 will receive half-price bus and tram travel in London, mayor Sadiq Khan announced today.

Around 15,000 young people are eligible for the concession, at an estimated annual cost to Transport for London of £2m-3m.

Care leavers will be able to apply from early in 2024.

Young people who grow up in care are three times less likely to be in education, employment or training than their peers, the mayor’s office said, with costs, including of travel, found to be a barrier.

Mr Khan said: ‘Many care leavers lack the appropriate resources to continue training or gain meaningful employment once leaving care, which can, in turn, lead to both financial and emotional hardship.

‘I am determined to improve the London-wide offer for care leavers, and our new “fare deal for care-leavers” will give these young people a helping hand to thrive in this next stage of their lives’.

Interim head of London children’s services at Barnardo’s, Lucy Ivankovic, said the charity had been calling for transport authorities to create ‘bespoke schemes for care leavers who are struggling with the cost-of-living and do not have the “bank of mum and dad” to top up their fare’.

Ms Ivankovic said the scheme would be a ‘lifeline for care leavers who rely on public transport to access education and employment and will help to reduce their isolation and loneliness.’

Asked why travel on the underground was not included, the mayor’s office said: ‘The recent funding challenges faced by TfL and the complexity of developing a new discount mean this is not possible.

‘Bus and tram travel is the most popular choice amongst young people, so offering half price travel on this mode of transport can benefit more people.’