THOSE starting a new job are set to receive a week's worth of free bus travel on Stagecoach and Arriva North East services in five Tees Valley towns.

Residents taking up new employment in either Middlesbrough, Stockton, Darlington, Hartlepool or Redcar and Cleveland will be able to obtain a prepaid ticket valid for five days.

The Tees Valley New Worker Week Ticket, developed in partnership with Arriva North East and Stagecoach, has been launched by Let's Go Tees Valley after a pilot scheme trialling free travel in Darlington was successful.

Nick Knox, area managing director of Arriva North East, said: "We’re committed to offering our customers convenient and sustainable transport alternatives and partnering with Let’s Go Tees Valley on this initiative is a great opportunity for us to be able to support Tees Valley workers into the first week of their new job.

The Northern Echo:

Jordan Mayhew of Let's Go Tees Valley, Colin Newbury of Stagecoach North East and Tony Batty of Arriva North East

“Using regional bus services to commute is integral to helping to reduce congestion and improve air quality in Tees Valley.

"We’re confident this extension of the current offer which was specific to Darlington will encourage more commuters to consider public transport as a viable travel alternative for their regular journeys to work."

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Transport issues shouldn’t be a barrier to people accessing the good quality, well-paid jobs we’re helping to create across the Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

"I’m delighted to see that the pilot scheme in Darlington last year was such a success that it’s now being rolled out for workers across the region."

  • The ticket can be claimed by emailing the details of a job offer, and contact details, to info@letsgoteesvalley.co.uk - the offer runs until April 30, 2020.