Information from our local bus company
From 1st September 2013 we will be extending our existing child discounts to all of those under 19 years of age. The child fare will be relaunched as a Ugo! fare, using the slogan Under 19’s – they go cheaper with Ugo!
Anyone who is under the age of 19 and asks for a Ugo ticket (or child fare) can receive reduced price travel, which is normally 40% discount on full adult fares. The current requirement for young people to prove their age will also be removed so there will be no need to carry a proof of age identification card.
We realise that it’s a difficult time for many young people. Traditionally they’ve been expected to pay full fare yet many can’t afford any other means of transport and finances are tight, with many in low paid jobs, looking for work or finishing their education.
Transdev in Lancashire already work closely with the regions colleges to offer substantially discounted travel opportunities to students and the introduction of Ugo! fares will extend access to cheaper travel, helping provide young people with affordable access to continuing education, training, work experience and jobs, as well as saving them money when visiting friends and family or going shopping with their friends.
Our commercial decision to extend discounts to those aged 16, 17 and 18 will hopefully be welcome news to young people in East Lancashire. Our groundbreaking initiative is supported by our local authority partners at Blackburn with Darwen Council who have permitted us to extend the same fares policy on to those journeys and services that Transdev operate under contract to the authority.
Unfortunately Lancashire County Council have declined to participate in this initiative on their tendered services despite the fact that the commercial risk on the majority of these services would remain with Transdev rather than the County Council. Transdev are deeply disappointed by this decision given the negative affect it will have on young people relying on supported services, especially in the evenings and on Sundays when fewer commercial routes operate. This may affect those travelling within the borough on cross boundary evening services supported by Lancashire such as services 6,7 and 22.