MP presses Transport Ministry on subsidised travel for youngsters

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 10th Oct 2007

Local MP, Tim Farron has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Ruth Kelly asking that subsidised bus travel for young people in rural areas is provided. Such subsidised transport is already provided for older people under the Transport Act, and Mr Farron asked that extra funding was provided for a similar scheme.

At present it can prove difficult for young people in rural areas to access services, and travel to places of work, not to mention the potential environmental impact of increased vehicle use.

Mr Farron said:

"In predominantly rural areas such as ours, the lives of young people can be seriously affected by an inability to use public transport. Subsidised travel would encourage people to access affordable public transport rather than cars, which in addition to improving their quality of life would help the environment as well."