Bus campaign gathers momentum
Published Monday 19th July 10 in Council - news and information releases news
Southend-on-Sea’s Youth Mayor and his Deputy are spearheading a campaign to persuade the town’s main bus operator to increase the age at which it starts charging adult fares.
Adam Connolly and Alex Bright want Arriva to increase the adult charging age in the Borough to at least 16.
Currently, under-16s are charged a concessionary children's fare across the whole of Arriva's Southern Counties operating range - except Southend.
But youngsters in the Borough start paying adult fares when they turn 14, which Southend Youth Council thinks is unfair.
Child fares are only available to 14 and 15-year-olds in the town if they pay £5 for a special Fairsaver Card.
The Council is supporting the campaign and is currently in discussions with the bus company, which has pledged to make a decision on the issue in September.
An Arriva representative had previously advised the Youth Council to start a petition to generate further support for the campaign.
Youth Council members have been encouraging young people in the town to sign the petition and a total of 1,533 names have been collected.
The petition was formally presented at Thursday's full council meeting by Councillor Ian Gilbert, the Council's Youth Champion, and Councillor Mark Flewitt.
Youth Mayor Adam, who started his year in office in February, said: "It's completely unfair that teenagers in Southend are being treated differently.
"All we are asking is that 14 and 15-year-olds from Southend are eligible for the same concessionary fares as their counterparts elsewhere in Arriva's Southern Counties area.
"Young people in the Borough want an affordable and efficient bus service to help them get around but it shouldn't cost them more than it costs teenagers living elsewhere in the south.
"I feel really strongly about this issue and I'm glad that Arriva appear to be taking it seriously."
Southend Youth Council is open to all 13-19 year olds who go to school or live in Southend.
Meetings take place in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre between 5pm and 7pm on the first Wednesday of every month.
For more information about Southend Youth Council please visit Southend youth council or e-mail youthmayor@southend.gov.uk