Bus fares may become free for young people in Swindon
Proposed motion seeks to make bus travel cheaper for youth aged 11 to 21
A new motion aimed at reducing bus fares for young people in Swindon has been unanimously supported by councillors.
The initiative, proposed by Labour’s Councillor Mike Davies and supported by Green Councillor Repi Begum, seeks to work with bus operators to cap fares at £1 per journey or potentially make travel free for individuals aged 11 to 21.
Councillor Davies emphasized the benefits of increased bus use, noting a decrease in bus use by 24 per cent since 2010.
Councillor Begum expressed her support, highlighting the importance of reducing transport costs to promote access to education, recreation, and employment for young people.
Deputy leader Councillor Emma Bushell mentioned a recent report by young people that emphasised the need for cheaper bus travel, aligning with this current motion.
Councillor Nick Gardiner suggested looking into options like transfer tickets to accommodate young people who use multiple buses.
Additionally, the motion includes a request to explore extending senior citizen bus passes for journeys after 11pm.
The cabinet member for transport, Councillor Chris Watts, indicated that extending pass time before 9.30am had been deemed unfeasible due to capacity issues.
The motion’s unanimous passage paves the way for discussions with bus operators, though specific dates for these talks have not been provided.