Tiger bus pass 'making difference' to Cambridgeshire, claims deputy mayor
So far, more than 17,000 young people have applied for the scheme
The deputy mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has said a scheme giving young people bus travel at lower prices is making a difference.
Since the Combined Authority launched the idea in May, more than 17,000 people under 25 in the county have applied for a Tiger bus pass.
So far, the Authority found almost 16,000 people are using one of these passes with 12,200 journeys being made using the passes in the first month of the scheme.
By using the pass, bus users can travel for £1 rather than the usual £2 fare.
"If you live in villages, you might not have another option"
"Particularly if you live in villages, you might not have another option and if your only option is quite an expensive bus or someone in the family driving you around, that freedom you get from having a cheaper bus fare, we thought that was something important," deputy mayor Councillor Anna Smith said.
"Every so often, I'll see a picture of a young person holding a Tiger pass saying 'this is great, I'm off to do this thing because I've got this pass' and it's making a difference not just for leisure, but also for education and work."
Tiger pass part of bus improvements
The Tiger passes are part of a first phase of improvements by the Combined Authority to improve bus services across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
These measures also include new or improved bus routes this autumn.
Kelly Jesus, a student at ARU Peterborough, is one of those who relies on buses to travel.
“I don’t drive yet so I rely on buses a lot; that means whenever I’m going to a conference, event, work experience or a training session, I would normally spend £2 to get there and £2 back," she said.
"Multiplied over the month, it is a lot of money which I have now been able to halve. It is a weight off my mind and has freed me up to do more things I enjoy."
Bus franchising on the table
A consultation on the best way to improve buses in local communities is also being held.
The public can have their say from tomorrow (13th August) until 20th November on how to reform buses across the area, including bus franchising.
Franchising would allow the Authority to decide on how and where services are run, how often they run, fares and overall standards of the area's buses.
The Authority said ways such as letters, briefings, face-to-face events and social media will be used to engage with communities on the consultation.
Rob Bridge, chief executive of the Combined Authority, said: "Whether you rely on the bus now for education, employment or leisure, or you think the bus might benefit you in the future, we want to hear your thoughts.
"Now is the time for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to review how its buses are operated, to improve services for all.”
Details of where people can get all the relevant information will be made available when the consultation starts.