Bus travel for under 18s

The following is from Hansard for March 1st

Travel: Concessions Ian Mearns:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the provision of concessionary travel schemes for people aged under 18 years in education or training; and what recent discussions he has had with bus operators on the implications for concessionary fare schemes of the increase in the school leaving age to (a) 17 in 2013 and (b) 18 in 2015. [144861]

Norman Baker: The responsibility for post 16 transport support lies with local authorities. The authorities have a legal duty to set out in a transport statement the arrangements they consider necessary to enable young people to attend post-16 education. The Government recognises that some students find it difficult to pay for education-related costs, and this is one of the reasons why it introduced the 16-19 Bursary Fund. Local authorities and providers are encouraged to work together to ensure that post 16 transport support, and the 16-19 Bursary fund are used effectively together to help meet transport costs.

I hold regular discussions with bus operators-and other stakeholders-and have asked the industry to consider offering travel discounts to all those aged 18 and under, not just to those in education but to youngsters entering the world of work for the first time, for example in an apprenticeship.