Colchester youngsters set for half-price bus travel (From Gazette)

Colchester youngsters set for half-price bus travel

5:30pm Tuesday 1st December 2009 in Colchester By Owen Bennett

YOUNGSTERS from Colchester will get half-price bus travel from April next year, providing county councillors rubber-stamp proposals today.

Anyone from five to 19 living in the borough will be able to use the discount tickets to travel anywhere in Essex.

The six-month pilot will start on April 1. If it is a success, the scheme could be rolled out across the county.

However, council bosses are remaining tight-lipped over how much the scheme will cost taxpayers and will discuss the figures behind closed doors.

The scheme is an extension of the existing Bite project (Being Identified in Essex), whch gives concessionary travel to under 16s.

Michael Page, spokesman for Essex County Council, said: “The current Bite card is a proof-of-age card for young people.

“We will be launching something called Bite Plus, which will give young people greater discounts and a wider range of services.

“It will include all ticket types, including singles, returns, weeklies and monthlies.

“The only exceptions will be group tickets, for example, a family saver.

“They can only be used by young people.”

Theresa Higgins, Lib Dem county councillor for Parsons Heath and East Gates, welcomed the plan.

She said: “It’s a step in the right direction, but we should look at the way the railways do it where you can get discounts up to the age of 26.”

A similar scheme has been run in Suffolk. Youngsters from five to 19 can use their card to get a 50 per cent discount on both bus and rail travel within the county. The card can also be used for proof-of-age purposes.