Transport spending priorities by Whitehall are disadvantaging young people and driving unemployment and a lack of education, according to the Campaign for Better Transport.
A report by the charity, titled Transport barriers facing young people, claimed that young people rely on bus services more than any other demographic group, and policies related to this form of public transport directly effect more than a million of 18-24 year olds not in employment, education or training (neets).
According to the study, many are unable to attend job interviews, or even go to a job centre, because of the rising cost of bus fares.
The campaign group pointed out that ticketing has increased by a third in the last seven years and by 6.5% between June 2011 and June 2012 - compared to a retail price index inflation rate of 2.8% - and that while concessionary fares for the over-60s is ring-fenced, the same is not afforded to the young or neets.
Only 28 of 89 authorities outside of London currently offer discounts to young people for travelling on public transport.
The study also illustrates a picture of a multitude of factors working against neets, including the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance and cuts to bus routes as a result of a reduction in central government grant.
Stephen Joseph, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: 'Our research found it is now more difficult for young people to access jobs and education than it was 15 years ago.
'This is in no ones’ interests, least of all young people themselves. Government needs to use the upcoming spending review to ensure young people aren’t priced off public transport.'
The Intergenerational Foundation and Campaign for Better Transport have called on government to include the following measures in this year’s spending round:
- Introduce a national, free concessionary travel scheme for young people
- Resist further cuts to support for bus services and ensure bus services better meet the needs of young people
- Announce the development of a package of land use planning and transport improvements which encourage jobs to be created and retained in locations served by public transport.
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