Young people on the Isle of Wight had to pay adult fare on the buses at the age of 14. As a result travelling around the island to accessing services or facilities was often very expensive. Young people campaigned for many years about this issue and have successfully secured a flat rate bus/ train fee of 50p for young people in full time education or training. Young people are now able to travel to school and college for less and explore the island cheaply.
Category Archives: transport
Mystery shopper challenges Derby bus company fares practice
As part of a mystery shopping exercise a young person was refused the right to travel because he did not have his half price B-Line card. Company policy requires the bus driver to nonetheless, allow them to travel. This was fed back to the bus company who reiterated to their bus drivers their policy regarding allowing young people to travel.
Essex young people overcome difficulties proving age and identity when accessing services
Young people raised the issue of proof of age to access services such as reduced bus fares. Young people worked together with the council and local bus companies to discuss and debate the issues. As a result the Essex BITE card was introduced, a proof of age card which doubles as a library card. Young people can now take advantage of reduced bus fares and can gain access to age appropriate films.
Cycling to school safely
Children at the school did not agree with Rutland councils plans to build a cycle lane from the town, to a hamlet and then onto a village. Only one child from the school lived in the hamlet whilst over 20 lived in the village. They felt that it would have meant a significant delay for the much greater number of children living in the village. The children mounted a campaign writing letters to the council. The council changed their plans and rerouted the cycle way to the village.