Bus operators in Wales are due to receive detail regarding reimbursement this week following recent launch of the reduced fares for under-22 scheme.
The “mytravelpass” initiative will permit 16-21-year-olds to purchase a £1 single or £3 day pass from September onwards.
Today, the pilot scheme, which was announced in February, went live with branding and the sign-up process. It was also announced that the offer would be extended to 5-15-year-olds from 3 November.
In reaction, CPT called on the Welsh Government to provide full details of reimbursement and outline an exit strategy.
Responding, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates says: “We have committed to a 12-month pilot and provided £22m of funding to support this – it will be for a future government to determine whether the scheme will be extended.
“We will provide operators with draft legal agreements, which will detail reimbursement processes this week.
“Firm offers, with reimbursement rates based on discussions that have already taken place, will follow once operators have seen and commented on the scheme agreement.”
Aaron Hill, Director of CPT Cymru, had earlier aired concern over the absence of a strategy for ending the scheme.
He says: “It is also important that the Government considers how long the scheme will last, and how it can ultimately be ended without a ‘cliff edge’ that deters passengers.
“We want to work in partnership to deliver lower fares for young people successfully.
“We call on the Welsh Government and on Transport for Wales to act quickly to build confidence in the scheme ahead of its launch in September.”
The Government had already allocated £15 million to fund the 16-21-year-old scheme for two years, and today confirmed an additional £7 million to extend the initiative to younger travellers.
In launching the scheme, Mr Skates said: “I am delighted to be launching a scheme that offers affordable bus travel for young people to help them access education, training, employment, and leisure, as well as supporting our efforts to encourage more people to use public transport, reduce carbon emissions and tackle poverty.
“As we approach the summer holidays, I want to encourage all those who haven’t signed up for a free mytravelpass to do so from 21 July. This will mean they can take advantage of £1 bus fares from 1 September.”
