Free bus travel launched for care leavers in Staffordshire
It'll provide unlimited access for them to use county bus services
Young people leaving care in Staffordshire will benefit from a new free bus travel scheme launched by the county council.
The scheme offers unlimited travel to care leavers on any Staffordshire bus for 12 months, aiming to enhance their access to employment, education, training, and leisure options.
To be eligible, journeys must originate in Staffordshire.
Owen Aulton, a 21-year-old care leaver, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating:
"This bus pass will be a real help with general day to day living. Whilst I’m currently able to walk to work, I have friends and family across the county so using the bus for free at any time will mean I can get to them easily. It’s great that the county council has launched this scheme and I’m sure it’ll be popular.”
Andrew Mynors, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Connectivity, said that the initiative is part of wider efforts to improve transport options for young people.
Nick Lakin, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, emphasised the importance of providing care leavers with the means to access essential services and lead independent lives.
The Care Leavers Bus Pass is part of a broader set of support programmes from the county council, which includes the Care Leavers into Employment programme and the Care Leavers Hub.
The council is also running a bus transport pilot scheme in Rugeley, seeking community input on improvements.
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