Concessionary bus fares for care leavers and veterans among plans to tackle transport barriers
Free bus journeys for care leavers and veterans are among the ideas being considered to improve access to public transport.
Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority officials says the pilot schemes – which also includes improvements to two railway stations – aim to provide targeted support for disadvantaged groups and boost economic growth across the region.
Speaking at the authority’s transport board on Wednesday, November 11, North Lincolnshire Council leader Rob Waltham (Conservative – Brigg and Wolds) said the measures are important.
He added: “I think what we’d all hope is that no child – irrespective of the circumstances of their birth or their parenthood – would be disadvantaged in getting a college place or access to employment.
“Because it’s not just a bus pass. It’s about what can give them better opportunities in life.”
Care leavers are young adults who have spent time in foster care or a children’s home as part of their upbringing.
The proposed travel scheme would give eligible people in this category free bus travel within Greater Lincolnshire.
Officials say this pilot scheme would help to remove transport cost barriers to education, employment, training and support independent living.
The proposed scheme is expected to use an electronic ticketing system which would be administered in partnership with local authority children’s services teams and participating bus operators.
The eligibility criteria for this pilot has not yet been revealed.
A veterans’ bus Card pilot scheme has also been proposed in a bid to help unemployed veterans access work, training and employment opportunities.
The scheme would provide eligible veterans with a travel card offering up to 50 bus journeys, allocated through a referral process managed by the Department for Work and Pensions.
A full business case is currently being developed, but it is expected that a maximum of 1,000 cards would be issued.
Lana Meddings, head of transport at the GLCCA, said that officials would closely monitor the proposed care leavers and veterans’ scheme trials and would look to make changes if any “barriers to the uptake” of the passes arise.
But the leader of East Lindsey District Council, Craig Leyland (Conservative – Woodhall Spa) called for the authority to develop ways of supporting young people in accessing education.
He added: “We still have college students and young people needing to access transport, that will still be a challenge.”
Officers are also working on plans to improve Hykeham and Gainsborough Lea Road train stations in a bid to tackle accessibility, safety, customer experience issues.
Officials say that all of the plans are subject to getting the necessary funding and approval, but could be implemented within the 2027/28 financial year.