Benefits for Council and students in new Post-16 transport policy

It looks set to be a win-win situation for both the Royal Borough and students aged 16 to 18 travelling to school and college by train as the council adopts its new annual Post-16 transport policy.

From September 2011 students aged 16 to 18 will be able to buy a Student Reduced Fare Card from the council for £80 which will allow them to travel to school or college by rail at under-16 rates - saving them 50% on every journey. The scheme will be valid for the majority of rail journeys currently being undertaken by borough students.

The card will not be restricted to school/college journey times and can be used seven days a week, at weekends, evenings and during school and college holidays. In addition to the daily under-16 rate students will also be able to buy monthly or termly passes at reduced rates.

The new scheme will also generate savings of more than £22,000 for the council. Currently parents are asked for a contribution of £507 a year towards the cost of an annual rail pass and the borough subsidises the remaining cost up to £712. This pass was restricted to travel on school days only.

Cllr Eileen Quick, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "This really is a win- win situation for everyone concerned.

"From the council's perspective the scheme will be implemented at no cost, which has to be good news. For the student it will mean a much more flexible opportunity to travel by rail seven days a week at reduced rates - and for their families a much smaller initial financial outlay.

"About 85% of pupils currently participating in the council's scheme travel by rail and as there are no restrictions on when the card can be used we are hoping that this will encourage even more students to consider travelling by train for both educational and recreational purposes.

"One of the priorities of the borough's Youth Council is for better and cheaper public transport and I am particularly pleased that this new scheme will go some way to fulfilling that request."

It is hoped to extend the scheme to students travelling to school or college by bus at a later date.

Full details of the Post-16 transport policy are available to view at www.rbwm.gov.uk

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