Free bus travel in January for Shropshire jobseekers
Unemployed jobseekers in Shropshire will benefit from free bus journeys across the county in January 2013 as part of a new national initiative, Bus for Jobs.
Greener Journeys – the campaign to promote sustainable travel – has forged a deal with the UK’s leading bus companies to enable jobseekers, especially the young, to use their routes free of charge for a month.
One of the bus companies taking part is Arriva; meaning that, throughout January, free and unlimited travel for eligible jobseekers will be available across Arriva’s entire commercial Shropshire network.
Working in partnership with Arriva, Shropshire Council is also pleased to be able to extend this fantastic offer further to include those Arriva services operated under contracts to the council as well.
For the whole of January 2013, holders of a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card will be given unlimited free travel on approximately 70% of the national bus network.
The distinctive deal will give a helping hand to people who are actively hunting for work or training.
Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for transport, said:
“Shropshire Council warmly welcomes Arriva’s participation in this month-long national initiative, which will allow unemployed people in Shropshire – particularly the young – to travel around the county, and beyond, free for a month.”
Keith Myatt from Arriva Midlands, said:
“Getting millions of people to work is something as an industry we do every day, and this initiative will give a real New Year boost for those who are looking for work or training by increasing their mobility and widening the possibilities open to them.”
Arriva, First, Go-Ahead, National Express, Stagecoach and others including Blackpool Transport, Kinchbus, Cardiff Bus, Network Warrington and Trent Barton have agreed to support the joint initiative, that will provide tangible help for people who are actively seeking work or taking part in training.
Passengers will need to be eligible for and possess a valid Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card in order to benefit from the scheme. They will need to present their card to the driver, and carry it on them when making journeys on participating bus routes.
The initiative runs for the calendar month of January 2013 – Tuesday 1 January to Thursday 31 January inclusive. Greener Journeys estimate the scheme will cover over 70 per cent of all bus routes in England, Scotland and Wales.
For more details on the Arriva services participating – www.arrivabus.co.uk. For more details on wider travel options across Shropshire – www.travelshropshire.co.uk.
