Launch of new YOzone cards for 16 to 18 year olds
Issued by City of York Council
Even more young people in York are being offered the opportunity to benefit from discounted travel, thanks to a City of York Council scheme.
The YOzone card, which acts as a proof of age card, already provides the opportunity for transport operators to offer discounted fares to young people aged between 11 and 16 years of age, but following requests from parents, schools and young people, the council is now launching a separate 16-18 year old card next month.
From September, the new card will assist bus companies in offering specific discounts to 16-18 year olds.
Council officers will be visiting schools and colleges in September and October to register 11 and 16-18 year olds for their YOzone card.
Alternatively, application forms can be filled in at the bus and visitor information point at York Station or downloaded from the York council website.
Cllr Dave Merrett, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability, said: “I’m really pleased to announce our launch of this 16-8 year old YoZone card. It’s something young people have asked for for years, and it’s great to have helped make it happen.
“Our aim is to increase bus usage in York by 18 per cent in 2015/16 and through working with travel operators to provide excellent discount opportunities for even more people in York we hope to achieve this.”
Ethan Redmond, York’s member of the UK Youth Parliament, said: “The Youth Council has been waiting for a long time to achieve this and I am very appreciative of the commitment of the bus companies and the council.
“Because of the new laws that mean young people have to stay on in education or training, the 16-18yr Yozone card can help to alleviate some of the financial stress that families can face when their young people to further education.”
The new YOzone cards are just one element of a range of bus service improvements to be considered by Cllr Dave Merrett at his Cabinet Member Decision Session on 4 September.
A report on ticketing is being brought to the Cabinet Member following a petition by York Youth Council requesting that young people be able to “Ride around for £1”.
In the report, the council highlights the work undertaken over the past year to improve the ticketing options available for young people which have included:
- The launch of the All York Young Person’s Day ticket in May 2013
- A discounted version of the All York Young Person’s Day ticket (£1.30) for the month of August 2013
- The forthcoming launch of the YOzone 16-18 proof of age card
- A number of improved ticketing offers for 11-18 year olds to be announced shortly by bus operators. These offers will be offered on a commercial basis and will not receive any Council subsidy.
For more information about the Yozone card or bus travel please visit the i-Travel website.
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