50p fare bid for children

50p bus fare bid for children.

Local transport leaders are calling on the Government to fund a maximum 50p bus fare for children across the UK.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) is faced with having to increase the area’s concessionary fare by 10p — from 70p to 80p — the first rise in two years.

During this time bus operators in Greater Manchester have increased their fares by an average of 16%.

GMPTA funds cheaper travel for certain groups by paying bus operators the difference between the concessionary fare and the fares the bus companies would otherwise charge.
Instead it wants the Government to provide funding to ensure more affordable fares for concessionary pass holders — regardless of where they live.

GMPTA chairman, Councillor Matt Colledge, said: “We’re calling on the Government to fund a maximum flat fare of 50p for young people.

“Currently it is up to each individual passenger transport authority or local council to decide if they want to fund cheaper travel for certain groups.

“If they do, they must then decide how low they can afford to keep concessionary fares, bearing in mind that they have to cover this cost to operators from taxpayers’ money.

“In Greater Manchester we want to keep the concessionary fare as low as possible. We haven’t raised the fare for two years and I am loathe to see an increase now.

“The cost of reimbursing the bus operators to provide essential bus services continues to go up. Our only other option is to cut these bus services, which is not acceptable.”

The authority meets today to agree its budget and make a levy on district councils for 2009-10.

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities has recommended a 4.3 per cent increase in this levy — which would mean a GMPTA budget of £164.74million.

A 10p increase in the concessionary fare would largely affect under-16s and 16 to 18-year-olds in full-time education.

GMPTA vice-chairman, Councillor Keith Whitmore, added: “Cheaper travel for younger passengers would mean some relief for young families, as well as encouraging future generations to get into the habit of using public transport.

“I urge the Government to give our proposals serious consideration.”