A North Yorkshire MP is calling on local bus operators to boost their services this August to ensure children taking advantage of the government's new free travel scheme are not squeezed off by coastal tourists.
A North Yorkshire MP has urged bus companies to increase their capacity this summer to avoid ‘deprived children being squeezed off services by tourists’.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced free bus travel for children throughout August as part of a plan to ease cost of living pressures impacted by the Iran war.
The chancellor committed more than £100 million to fund the free fares scheme and to support bus services.
The MP for Scarborough and Whitby, Alison Hume, has called on bus operators to ensure they have enough capacity to cater for both residents and tourists.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, May 21, she said:
“The news that bus travel will be free for children this summer is extremely welcome.
“Does my right hon. Friend agree that this is a golden opportunity for East Yorkshire Buses and Transdev to boost summer capacity, ensuring that children from deprived communities in Scarborough are not squeezed off the buses by tourists travelling to the coast for a great British summer?”
Ms Reeves, replied:
“I would encourage bus companies to use this as an opportunity to increase the services they offer this summer as they cater for more young people on their buses.
“I am sure that many hon. and right hon. Members will have enjoyed days out at the aquarium in Scarborough and dinner at the Magpie in Whitby, which serves very good fish and chips.”
As part of the scheme, all children aged five to 15 in England will be able to travel for free on participating local buses throughout August – with unlimited journeys, and without having to register.
Speaking before her speech in the House of Commons, the chancellor said:
“My number one priority is protecting households from rising costs.
“This summer I want every family to be able to enjoy themselves, that’s why we’re launching the Great British Summer Savings Scheme, and why we’re helping kids with free bus travel throughout August.
“As the war in Iran pushes prices up at home, my economic plan is the right one. I will continue to make the right choices, to protect households and businesses, and build a stronger and more secure Britain.”
This week, the leader of North Yorkshire Council, Cllr Carl Les, said that the ongoing conflict will “undoubtedly” impact the authority’s finances.
Many of the council’s operations in England’s geographically largest county “lean heavily on oil and diesel-related costs”.
The transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
“Free bus travel for every child in August means parents can plan days out, visit loved ones and make the most of the holidays without the added financial pressure.
“We’ve already seen what’s possible – in the West of England, the Mayor’s free travel scheme is making a real difference, particularly for young people in the most deprived communities.
“That’s exactly the kind of impact we want to deliver for families right across England this summer.”
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