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Thursday, 05 February 2009Greater Manchester transport leaders call for flat child fare
Greater Manchester transport leaders are calling on the government to fund a maximum standard concessionary fare of 50p across the UK for children and young people in full-time education.
The leadership of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) is making the plea to provide more affordable fares for concessionary pass holders - regardless of where they live.
GMPTA funds cheaper travel for certain groups by paying bus operators the difference between the concessionary fare that these groups pay and the fares the bus companies would otherwise charge.
The call comes as GMPTA is faced with having to increase Greater Manchester'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 per cent.
Chair of GMPTA, 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 but our hands are tied.
"The cost of reimbursing the bus operators to provide essential bus services continues to go up and up. Our only other option is to cut these bus services, which frankly is not acceptable."
GMPTA meets on Friday to agree its budget and make a levy on the district councils for 2009/10. The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) has recommended a 4.3% increase in this levy - which would mean a budget of £164.74 million for GMPTA for 2009/10.
A 10p increase in the concessionary fare would largely affect under-16s and 16 to 18-year-olds in full-time education.
Vice Chair of GMPTA, Councillor Keith Whitmore, added: "The free bus travel scheme for over 60s and disabled people has been extremely popular. In the long term we would also like young people to be able to benefit from a similar scheme.
"Research by Greater Manchester's Transport Resource Unit found that 75% of parents with children under 16 said cost was a barrier to them using public transport.
"At the very least, 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."
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