Young people to get £1 bus fares across Wales

Young people to get £1 bus fares across Wales

Students in Cardiff are rejoicing at the news of reduced bus fares for those aged 16 to 21. Passengers like Evan Stoddart, 20, who currently does not utilize the bus service, are optimistic about the affordability of transportation. Evan emphasized the importance of keeping public transport costs low to facilitate easy commutes to school and work.

Another student, Holly Wells, 20, shared her enthusiasm for the discounted fares, highlighting the financial constraints faced by many young people who cannot afford to drive. Holly, who primarily walks around the city, noted that the reduced fares would create more opportunities for the youth. Both students agreed that the new fares would discourage them from opting for expensive taxi services.

Oliver Reaper, a 24-year-old Cardiff resident without a car, expressed his appreciation for accessible public transport. Oliver stressed the significance of affordable transportation, particularly during his student days when navigating the city on a limited budget. The fare reduction is a welcome relief for individuals like Oliver who heavily rely on public transport.

To avail the discounted fares, eligible individuals must apply for a mytravelpass through the Transport For Wales (TFW) website. This discount initiative is set to run until September 2026 and includes major bus operators on a voluntary basis. The Welsh government has allocated £15m over two financial years to support the scheme, aiming to promote public transport usage among the younger population.

Transport For Wales’ Lee Robinson expressed optimism about the scheme’s impact in encouraging young people to utilize bus services. With over 10,000 applications already received for the mytravelpass, Robinson emphasized the importance of setting a precedent for affordable public transport usage among the youth. While the scheme presents an attractive proposition, independent watchdog Transport Focus noted a lower satisfaction rate among young people in Wales regarding the value for money in bus services compared to other regions in the UK

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