Pocketrider scheme rolled out
16 to 18 year are now entitled to reduced price off-peak travel on Stagecoach buses.
Stagecoach Double Decker Bus
16 to 18 year olds across the Fylde, Preston and Chorley areas are now entitled to reduced price off-peak travel on Stagecoach buses, as the Pocketrider scheme is rolled out.
The scheme, supported by Lancashire County Council and Stagecoach North West, was introduced thanks to the campaigning work of young people from Fylde Youth Transport Action Group and Lancashire Youth Council's Transport Campaign Group.
Following a trial on the Fylde of the Pocketrider scheme, all 16 to 18 year olds, who would normally pay adult fare, can now use the Pocketrider ID card to pay for child single and day return fares on all Stagecoach services in Lancashire (apart from those operated by Stagecoach in Lancaster) after 9:30am and all day at the weekends.
Affordable transport is a major issue for young people and is a key campaign for Lancashire Youth Council, which is supported by Lancashire County Council. It has been a particular issue for young people living in rural areas of the Fylde, which led Fylde district youth council to form a Transport Action Group, with support from Lancashire County Council's Young People's Service.
Having conducted a comprehensive consultation with young people, the Transport Action Group embarked on a campaign to try to reduce the cost of public transport for young people in Fylde and Lancashire in general.
Following meetings between the young people and senior staff from Stagecoach North West, and with the support of the Youth Opportunity Fund, the initial pilot in the Fylde was launched in May 2010. Further talks have now led to this wider roll-out of the scheme.
County Councillor Mark Perks, Lancashire County Council's Cabinet Member for Young People, said: "This is tremendous news and just goes to show that young people working together can make a real difference. We have a huge pool of talented, determined and eloquent young people in Lancashire and when they put their mind to something the sky's the limit!"
Colin Nicholson from Stagecoach North West said “We are pleased to be able to introduce this new ticket to Lancashire and hope many young people will come on board with the scheme.”
The application form for the Pocketrider card can be downloaded from the Stagecoach website at
http://www.stagecoachbus.com/north%20west-tic.aspx (external link) and the cards can be obtained from Stagecoach Travel Shop on Preston Bus Station, Chorley Bus Station or the Tanzo Travel Shop on Talbot Road, Blackpool. There is a £10 administration fee for the card, but currently, the first 100 young people to apply will get it free.
Comments
This page doesn't have any comments yet. Be the first to comment by filling out the form below!
