Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, has announced a discounted bus travel scheme for apprentices.
The announcement was made as part of a speech exploring the future of bus services in the city region, where he also said he planned to use additional powers granted by the Bus Services Act to change the city’s bus network and consult with the public and stakeholders.
The scheme, brought in through the Bus Alliance partnership with Stagecoach and Arriva, will introduce half-price weekly and four-weekly bus passes for all apprentices aged 19 to 24.
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, said: “The cost of travel has been putting some young people off taking-up apprenticeship opportunities, which is why I am so pleased that we have been able to introduce this new discounted scheme. It will provide apprentices up to the age of 25 with half-price bus travel, potentially saving them up to £420 a year.
“Devolution gives us the opportunity to do things differently, to take greater control of our buses, and deliver a better bus service. We want the people of the city region to be part of that process, which is why I am announcing a big conversation about bus travel.”
Howard Farrall and Rob Jones, the Area Managing Directors for Arriva and Stagecoach, said: “Liverpool City Region is blazing a trail with the Bus Alliance, a voluntary partnership with operators and Merseytravel that has invested more than £52m in the bus network since it was formed, leading to real improvements for passengers.
“As bus operators we are pleased to see bus travel being given the level of priority it deserves by the Metro Mayor and are committed to taking part in the ongoing debate.”
