Bus pass rethink for young people (From Worcester News)

Bus pass rethink for young people

2:00pm Monday 18th February 2013 in News

A MULTI-MILLION pound overhaul of bus passes for young people is being planned in Worcestershire – including the possibility of a new flat £1 rate to travel anywhere in the county for under-25s.

The county council’s taxpayersubsidised Severn Card pass scheme is being torn up amid concerns not enough people are taking advantage of it.

A more modern pass will be brought in aimed at easing congestion across Worcestershire and helping teenagers attend jobs or college courses easier.

A watchdog-style panel of councillors has raised the idea that the new improved bus pass could be extended to all under- 25s instead of just under-19s who benefit at present.

The Severn Card is used by 1,702 young people in Worcestershire, but an in-house report warns it is becoming “unsustainable”

due to pressure from commercial bus fares.

Some school pupils qualify for a free card while other young people are charged up to £547 a year for it, but the overall cost of the scheme to the county council is £860,000 a year.

The report admits Worcestershire County Council “could do much more” to increase its popularity, including expanding the age range and charging £1 per trip. It also calls upon the authority to promote the new pass, including making it a central theme on the website.

Four options being flouted as possible alternatives from August include: 􀁥 A flat rate of £1 per bus trip, estimated yearly cost £1.5 million 􀁥 Half-adult fares on all trips, estimated yearly cost £1.8 million 􀁥 Free passes, costing up to £10 million a year 􀁥 A one-off £25 charge then £1 per trip for all cardholders Although these costs were based on restricting the cards to 11-19 year olds, the council is now considering expanding the scheme to 25-year-olds.

None of the options have been ruled out at present, although the report does warn some fares are already cheaper than £1 per journey, meaning a limited number of students would end up paying more.

But it does say the rate would be “easy to market” – and that it could potentially be taken up by 10,210 11 to 19-year-olds in Worcestershire.

The free travel option is almost certain to be scrapped in the coming weeks due to the costs.