Council to work with bus companies to cap youth fares at £1

Young people in Swindon might be able to catch a bus in the borough for no more than £1 per journey, if the borough council can persuade the bus companies to agree.

The council’s deputy leader Emma Bushell revealed the council’s plan in response to a presentation of the report into the environment and climate change made by some of the town’s young people to the Build A Greener Swindon policy committee.

The report had been put together by youngsters working with the youth charity Way at The Base youth centre – the charity’s chief executive Dan Lloyd, and one of the authors, Ruby Higgs-Howard, put the report to the committee.

Ruby said: “One of the big issues for young people is public transport.

“A lot of them are concerned about the pricing of buses – Many young people don’t have jobs, and they’re getting the bus to college, or if they’re working, they’re in lower-paying jobs.”

Ruby asked: “What can be done to support young people and encourage them on to public transport and out of cars?”

The committee chairman, Councillor Neil Hopkins, revealed the council is already looking at the issue.

He said: “There is a motion coming to the next council meeting looking for a programme capping bus fares at £1 for young people.”

And Cllr Bushell expanded: “The motion will ask the council to investigate the feasibility of a cap of £1 for 11-21-year-olds.

“I can’t make any promises, we have to do a lot of work first, but it’s something we want to do.”

Ruby also asked about the protection of green spaces saying: “We hate to see them lost.”

Cllr Hopkins said the cabinet had, the day before, adopted a new strategy for country parks to improve access and increase use.

Cllr Bushell added: “We are also using the planning system to protect green spaces, and design them in when new developments come forward. We know they’re very important.

“We’ve also increased resources to crack down on fly-tipping, which is  not just about green spaces, but will help to protect them as well.”

Cllr Hopkins urged any young people concerned about climate change, the environment, or indeed any issue in Swindon to look for a charity or voluntary body to become involved with.

He said: ”There are any number of voluntary organisations who would welcome young people to engage and get involved.

“And it’s important your voices are heard because it’s your future.”

The proposal to investigate capping bus fares for young people to £1 is expected to be put to the full council at its meeting on Monday March 16.