Plans to introduce free travel to young unemployed people has continued to gain traction as several local authorities sign up for new schemes.
Essex CC, Southampton City Council and Lancashire CC are actively considering concessionary schemes for unemployed in a bid to create access for apprenticeships and jobs.
Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition in Essex, Mike Mackrory, called for the Conservative-controlled council to consider changes to the fare regime, and the local authority has now set up a group to investigate the possible move.
Essex believes the move would cost about £1.1m, and assist 3,000 young people.
Mr Mackrory said the local authority would work with the Department for Work and Pensions and job centres on sharing the cost burden of the scheme.
‘We are obviously very concerned that young people have a problem travelling to find jobs and apprenticeships and we want to take away any barriers to them,’ he added.
Lancashire CC cabinet has also agreed to fund a proposal that will provide free bus travel to help young people who are looking for sustainable employment.
The proposal was put through by a steering group of the Lancashire Youth Council. It recommended all young people between the age of 16 and 18 who are not in employment are offered free bus travel within a designated travel area.
It also proposed that the scheme would include young parents and young carers.
Cllr Mark Perks, cabinet member for young people, said: ‘Transport can be a significant factor as it can seriously impact on a young person's ability to move into employment or training.’
Southampton announced plans this week to use £3.9 it received in local sustainable transport funding for assisting the unemployed back to work through free travel.
Frank Baxter, Southampton City Council travel and transport manager, said: ‘One of the projects we’re looking at is how we can support people to get into work, looking at working with Job Centre Plus.
‘People out of work could be given a public transport season ticket to allow them to attend interviews, and also during their first month when they’re not being paid.’
Subsidised travel for the unemployed and for apprentices has already been offered by Norfolk CC this summer.
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