ESSEX County Council has passed plans to trial half-price bus travel for the under-twenties in Colchester.

Anyone aged five to 19 will be eligible for the discounted tickets from April. If it is a success, the scheme will be introduced across the county.

County Hall is spending £3million on a company to implement the scheme, but the figure does not include the cost of reimbursing bus companies.

On the costs, a cabinet report said: “It should be made clear the uptake and fare levels, which are the principal factors governing cost, are difficult to project with certainty and the final cost of the scheme may vary from that set out here.”

Tom Smith-Hughes, the county council opposition leader, said money needed to be set aside in next year’s budget for the project.

He asked: “Will you give a commitment that money will be found in the budget? If no money is put in the budget, then people will think it won’t happen.”

Lord Hanningfield, leader of the council, assured the cabinet that should the scheme be a success in Colchester, the money would be found to implement it across Essex.

He said: “We will plan what we are going to do in September.”

After the cabinet meeting, Lord Hanningfield said: ‘‘Today’s decision will bring huge benefits to young people in Colchester by making travel and getting around more affordable.”

The First bus company in Colchester already offers cheaper fares for under-16s, so the half-price fare will only benefit 16 to 19-year-olds and under-16s travelling at peak times.