Smart card scheme to help young people travel around
Friday, 18th January 2013.
YOUNG people could be set to benefit from discounted travel across Suffolk with the introduction of a new ‘Travel Card’.
Suffolk County Council’s cabinet is being asked to approve the implementation of a Suffolk - wide smart Travel Card in a bid to remove transport barriers for young people across the county.
Those aged between 16 and 19 would receive a consistent discount to help them access learning, work and training opportunities across Suffolk.
The card would be designed to enable cashless payment on specified public transport services and would have stored value and online top-up ability.
As well as enabling parents and carers to ensure young people can pay for their transport, it would also speed up bus boarding times.
Cllr Guy McGregor, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for roads, transport and planning said: “Investment into a smart travel card scheme for Suffolk will provide young people with clear discounts for public transport and promote bus travel in Suffolk, whilst enabling people to be less dependent on their private cars.
“In removing barriers to accessing learning, work and training, the card would make a huge contribution to achieving the aims of the Raising Fhe Bar initiative to raise attainment and aspiration, and to better match skills with future jobs.”
If the decision is to go ahead, the planned start for the new scheme will be September this year, to coincide with the start of the new academic year.
It is also proposed that an additional one-off injection of £100,000 is made to Suffolk ACRE to support continuation of their ‘Kickstart’ scheme - a scooter loan scheme to help young people in rural areas to get to work and college where no public transport is available.
Suffolk County Council’s cabinet is being asked to approve the implementation of a Suffolk - wide smart Travel Card in a bid to remove transport barriers for young people across the county.
Those aged between 16 and 19 would receive a consistent discount to help them access learning, work and training opportunities across Suffolk.
The card would be designed to enable cashless payment on specified public transport services and would have stored value and online top-up ability.
As well as enabling parents and carers to ensure young people can pay for their transport, it would also speed up bus boarding times.
Cllr Guy McGregor, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for roads, transport and planning said: “Investment into a smart travel card scheme for Suffolk will provide young people with clear discounts for public transport and promote bus travel in Suffolk, whilst enabling people to be less dependent on their private cars.
“In removing barriers to accessing learning, work and training, the card would make a huge contribution to achieving the aims of the Raising Fhe Bar initiative to raise attainment and aspiration, and to better match skills with future jobs.”
If the decision is to go ahead, the planned start for the new scheme will be September this year, to coincide with the start of the new academic year.
It is also proposed that an additional one-off injection of £100,000 is made to Suffolk ACRE to support continuation of their ‘Kickstart’ scheme - a scooter loan scheme to help young people in rural areas to get to work and college where no public transport is available.
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