Issued by City of York Council
York Independent Living and Travel Skills (YILTS) – a service which helps vulnerable young people become independent travellers – has teamed up with two of York’s major transport providers in a bid to help even more youngsters.
Streamline Taxis and First York have joined forces with City of York Council’s award-winning service to ensure that disabled and vulnerable passengers can make the most of their independent journeys.
Thanks to the new partnership with Streamline, the YILTS team will be able to include taxi-training as part of their programme, drawing on the expertise of Streamline employees to help support the students on their journeys.
The team will also be working with First York to provide disability awareness training to their drivers, including hearing from young people with disabilities about their experiences on public transport.
Dave McCormick, Education Officer for Special Educational Needs and Transport, City of York Council, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to team up with two of the city’s biggest transport providers to help improve public transport for people with disabilities or difficulties.
“Most of us tend to take the ability to travel independently for granted, but enabling young people to use the bus, walk or cycle to school or college on their own can increase their confidence and self esteem as well as encouraging them to get involved in their wider community.
Councillor Janet Looker, Cabinet member for Education, Children and Young People, City of York Council, said: “Teaching vulnerable young people to travel independently not only helps them to get out and about on their own, but also enables them to develop the skills they need in order to move into employment and rely less on their families.
“The partnership with First York and Streamline will help York to become a society that is inclusive and supportive for all people with disabilities.”
Mark Wilson, of Streamline Taxis York, said: “Streamline are proud to be a part of this exciting initiative, it will enable those that have additional needs to gain the confidence to do the things most of us take for granted, such as independent travel.”
Will Pearson, First York Business Manager, said: “We are delighted to work in partnership with City of York Council to provide this innovative service for vulnerable young people.
“We are constantly trying to find new ways to help our customers and the local communities. We are working with the Council to ensure this service is being publicised widely to ensure those people most in need hear about it and get the benefit from it.”
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