A BID to provide free bus travel for under 25-year-olds across the country could benefit more 40,000 young people across Worcester and Malvern according to figures provided by the Labour party.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn revealed the bold proposals during a speech last week which the party claims could save 25,009 people in Worcester and 16,055 young people in Malvern up to £1,000 per year of the costs of public transport.
The scheme will be paid for by using cash from Vehicle Excise Duty to those councils who introduce bus franchising or move to public ownership of their local bus services.
Party bosses hope the proposal will encourage local authorities to create municipally owned bus companies, run for passengers not profit and claim research has shown such schemes could provide annual savings of £276million.
“Young people deserve a break. Nearly eight years of Tory austerity have hit their incomes, their chance to buy a house and their career opportunities,” Mr Corbyn said.
“Labour wants to help young people make the most out of life by investing in them, which is why we are pledging the next Labour government will provide the funds to cover free bus travel for under 25s, to support them to travel to work, to study and to visit friends.
The party claims the UK bus network has shrunk to a 28 year low with passenger levels at their lowest level in a decade.
In response, Worcester’s MP Robin Walker questioned how the scheme would be funded and accused Labour of raiding the mythical magic money tree.
“Bus companies often receive subsidies for some routes from local councils to make up the shortfall and a scheme like this could place a further load on local councils,” he said.
“That said I think there is agreement for supporting young people to use public transport and I would like to see current arrangements extended to cover those on apprentices.
“The idea you can make bus travel free for all those under 25 is just not realistic.”
Malvern’s MP Harriett Baldwin highlighted the discretionary bus pass scheme, run by Worcestershire County Council to help young people get to and from school or college by public transport.
“However, in yet another bizarre twist of ‘Corbynomics’ there are actually fewer than 5,000 people aged between 18 and 24 living across the whole of Malvern Hills district,” she said.
“As ever Labour party can’t do the sums right and their politicians can’t be trusted to tell people the facts.”
What do you think? E-mail [email protected] with your views
