An innovative pilot funded by the NHS is helping 300 care leavers in Newcastle and Gateshead with free public transport.
The idea is to boost the health and wellbeing of vulnerable group of young people between the ages of 18 and 25. One such person is Stephen Creighton, 21, who found himself homeless at 16 as his mother had died and he became estranged from his father.
Stephen, from Kenton, praised the scheme which gives the youngsters free travel in Tyne and Wear through a year-long Network One pass. He added it helped with everything from attending medical appointments, to getting to work and even looking after his mental health.
Stephen was part of a participation group which has been working with the local authorities to get the idea off the ground. He said: "The thing that really kickstarted this was the launch of the Evry plan. It's in general a huge weight off of your shoulders. It's something I don't have to worry about and I can be relaxed about it. You often forget that element of simply going to do things for fun.
"I just hope that the scheme can be extended and rolled out more widely. It's all well and good helping the people being helped at the moment, but this problem is not going away. There are a lot more people in the city needing help - not to mention beyond the city in the wider area."
Stephen has recently started a job at Your Homes Newcastle - having previously studied at Sunderland University. He said: "That initial pressure being taken off my shoulders is important, so I can focus on what I need to do at work. It also helps with mental health, which I think is more important than ever.
"I know from experience, as soon as you have people cooped up inside regularly, things start to become difficult."
Coun Sylvia Copley, the Newcastle City Council cabinet member with responsibility for children and young people, said it was a "fantastic project" and she hoped it would "support our young people, give them access to employment and learning opportunities, and confidence in their future".
Meanwhile, Gateshead Council leader Coun Martin Gannon - who also chairs the North East Joint Transport Committee - said: "We cannot overstate the difference that free transport will make to care experienced young people in our area, who are juggling the challenges of learning to live independently with the rising cost of living."
If successful, the pilot could be extended across Tyne and Wear, Durham and Northumberland. The young people will be regularly surveyed to see how free travel helps support them into education, training and work, and allows them to maintain friendships and social contacts.
Sam Allen, chief executive of the NHS's North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, explained why the NHS wanted to support the plan. She said: "Young people leaving care have made it clear that transport is a real issue, and we know this can affect their health and wellbeing.
"This scheme can make a real difference in helping young people look after their health and reduce the risk of isolation, as well as opening doors to training, learning and jobs."
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