Transport chiefs call for cheap fares for young people

The chair of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority made the call as his organisation met to discuss raising the local fare for young people from 70p to 80p.

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."

Colledge said he hoped to introduce free bus travel for Manchester young people "in the longterm". London young people already benefit from such a scheme: all under-16s can travel free, as can 16-17 year olds in full-time education who live in the capital.

Members of the UK Youth Parliament (MYPs) are due to meet on 19 February to discuss whether public transport should be more accessible, more affordable and more young person friendly. The organisation hopes its summit, to be held in central London, will attract over 150 people, including government ministers and transport providers. It is running an online petition calling for all under-18s in fulltime education to receive a concession card for public transport.