Young people aged between 5 and 19 years old will be able to travel on buses within North Lincolnshire for just £1 per single journey during the school Christmas holidays.
This comes after the success of a similar scheme during the summer holidays and October half term, which saw thousands of youngsters hopping on buses for only £1. The reduced fares will be on offer from December 21 until January 5.
More than 22,000 young people took advantage of the discounted bus fares over the summer. The initiative allows them to travel independently, visit various attractions across the county, and spend time with friends and family.
The scheme also makes it more affordable for families with young children to explore during the holidays, with single bus tickets for children costing £1, and adult single tickets priced at £2. (Children travelling unaccompanied do so at the discretion of the parent/carer and the bus driver).
There are plenty of festive activities planned at Waters’ Edge Country Park and Visitor Centre, Normanby Hall Country Park, North Lincolnshire Museum, 20-21 Visual Arts Centre and many other locations during the school holidays.
Cllr Tim Mitchell, cabinet member for connectivity at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “I am delighted that we are continuing to run the £1 bus fare scheme for our young people during the Christmas holidays. It was a huge success in the summer and October half term. Thousands of young people have already made the most of the offer to get them out and about in North Lincolnshire, using public transport more.
“We are continuing to work closely with our main commercial partners serving North Lincolnshire Hornsby Travel, Stagecoach East Midlands, East Yorkshire Buses as part of the Enhanced Partnership Board to make improvements to bus services across the county.
“We have made significant improvements to our bus networks by extending services with extra days, later and earlier buses and widening the network to reach more communities more often.”
Karl Robinson, general manager at Hornsby Travel, said: “The £1 fare for under 19s is a great scheme to encourage younger people to use the buses in North Lincolnshire, giving them more independence and not having to rely on lifts from parents.”
Matt Cranwell, managing director of Stagecoach East Midlands said: “We are pleased to be working with North Lincolnshire Council to offer the £1 fare during the school and college holidays, helping young people to visit friends, family and places. Using the bus is safe, easy and environmentally friendly, and helps to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. We know young people are very aware of the importance of looking after their local environment.”
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
