500 signatures reached
To: Medway Council and Kent County Council
Freedom Pass for Medway up to 19 years
On behalf of Medway and Peninsula parents can Medway Council introduce a bus freedom pass like Kent County Council and extend it to cover 16-18, possibly 19 year olds as the school leaving age has been raised.
Why is this important?
No secondary schools are within walking distance for the majority of Peninsula families, apart from those living in Hoo Village.
Once a young person reaches year 12, Medway Council will no longer subsidise the cost of travel passes or offer free travel.
I have been quoted an annual bus pass point to point for my daughter at a cost of £655.00 - this is for Monday to Friday use. Or alternatively £869.00 for a flexible 5 day unlimited travel pass. How many families have this kind of money readily available?
At £869.00 I would have hoped that this fare would have provision for weekend travel too. A lot of young people have a strong work ethic and are keen to take on weekend work. Where is the incentive and support for them to become independent and travel safely?
In our case there is only 1 dedicated school bus service and the first pick-up point is approximately 4 miles from our home. We ensure our daughter is at the bus stop by 0703 every day and that we meet her on her return so that she can arrive home safely.
This campaign is important now more than ever since the Government is in the process of raising the school leaving age to 18. From September you will have to stay in school till 17, which in practice means students will need to stay on a full two years to complete the courses they start. With so few jobs available young people need to stay in school, yet with transport the costs for families are excessively high.
The current freedom pass offered by Kent County Council is £100.00. Why is it not available to Medway residents - don't we ALL live in KENT? Is this not discrimination?
Once a young person reaches year 12, Medway Council will no longer subsidise the cost of travel passes or offer free travel.
I have been quoted an annual bus pass point to point for my daughter at a cost of £655.00 - this is for Monday to Friday use. Or alternatively £869.00 for a flexible 5 day unlimited travel pass. How many families have this kind of money readily available?
At £869.00 I would have hoped that this fare would have provision for weekend travel too. A lot of young people have a strong work ethic and are keen to take on weekend work. Where is the incentive and support for them to become independent and travel safely?
In our case there is only 1 dedicated school bus service and the first pick-up point is approximately 4 miles from our home. We ensure our daughter is at the bus stop by 0703 every day and that we meet her on her return so that she can arrive home safely.
This campaign is important now more than ever since the Government is in the process of raising the school leaving age to 18. From September you will have to stay in school till 17, which in practice means students will need to stay on a full two years to complete the courses they start. With so few jobs available young people need to stay in school, yet with transport the costs for families are excessively high.
The current freedom pass offered by Kent County Council is £100.00. Why is it not available to Medway residents - don't we ALL live in KENT? Is this not discrimination?
