BYC's campaign for fairer prices for public transport

Public transport has a vital role in our everyday lives. It's often the way we get to school, college or work. It helps us visit friends and get out and about socially. It both lets us be included in activities and gives us independence.

Yet the price of public transport for young people means that it can often be far too expensive for us to get around at all. Sometimes just one day's bus fare can cost nearly an hour's wages.

BYC is committed to campaigning for concessions in public transport fares, for young people aged under 18 across the UK.

This issue has such an impact on the opportunities available to young people's lives, which is why we need national action to tackle it. As a result, BYC will be campaigning for:

• Concessionary fares for under 18 year olds;
• Fair and flat fares that don't fluctuate;
• A recognised card that enables young people to claim discounts - a free National Transport Card that gives you discounts on all forms of public transport.

"Things to do and places to go" but no means to get there!

The Government have recognised that transport is often a key barrier to young people accessing leisure-time opportunities, activities and support services.

Many young people have difficulty getting to the opportunities or services they want to access. Those who are reliant on public transport, particularly those who are disadvantaged or from rural areas, are often let down by an inadequate service or prohibited by its high cost. Aiming High for Young People (2007: 58).

Transport costs for young people can vary so much from area to area. We need national action to tackle this issue, such as that taken by the Concessionary Bus Travel Act that gave everyone aged 60 and over in England, and disabled people in England, free off peak travel on all local buses anywhere in England. This Act was a key part of the Government's wider recognition of the importance of public transport for older and disabled people, and the role access to transport has to play in improving social inclusion and maintaining well being.

We need the same recognition.

Change the way we travel from the grassroots up

Making public transport more accessible to young people would mean the chance for us to change the way we travel - and reduce our dependencies on cars. Cheaper and fairer fares would mean we would change how we see public transport fitting into our everyday lives.

Recent research has found  that

83% of the UK population would happily use their cars less if public transport was improved.

Importantly 86% saw reducing car use as 'important' or 'very important' in combatting climate change. However, 86% thought public transport costs were 'high' or 'very high'.

BYC track record: Campaigning for free bus travel

In February 2007, BYC successfully campaigned to keep free bus and tram travel in London for all under 16s and under 18s in full time education. The scheme was threatened when a policy review by the London Assembly's Transport Committee had proposed to scrap it.

BYC was personally thanked by the Major of London for their support:

I am very grateful for the British Youth Council's support of the campaign to defend our policy of free bus travel for under 18s. This measure saves families hundreds of pounds a year and gives young Londoners the opportunity to explore their city in all its diversity. The British Youth Council's backing has been important in strengthening the strong public support for this initiative. Ken Livingstone.

BYC supported the resultant calls made in Parliament to expand the free bus travel scheme to other areas of the country and offer this opportunity to more young people.

Get Active!

Are you campaigning about the price of public transport in your local area? Let BYC know and your campaign could feature here.

If you feel strongly about this issue and would like to get involved why not join the BYC Online Action Network - a flexible way have your say and be heard.

For more information on our Transport campaign please email BYC.