School’s out and free bus travel’s in for under 16’s in Newent this summer. Newent Community Transport and Buses4Us have teamed up to offer free bus travel for children and young people in the Newent area throughout August.
With the cost of living crisis biting hard, keeping children entertained over the summer is going to be more challenging than ever for many families.
That’s why Newent Community Transport and Buses4Us have teamed up to offer free bus travel to all under 16’s this August.
“Anyone under 16 will be able to travel free on all of our scheduled services this summer” explained Newent Community Transport Manager Lyndon Biddle. “We are aware of how tough things are for many families at the moment, and how expensive school holidays can be, so we wanted to do what we could to help.”
Newent Community Transport runs 4 scheduled bus services in the Newent area, which could give young people the opportunity to travel to Gloucester or Ledbury free of charge. The services also give young people from villages like Dymock, Highleadon, Gorsley and Tibberton the chance to come into Newent to meet friends.
Free rides will be available throughout August on:
Service 632 Tilers Green, Dymock, Kilcot and Gorsley to Newent – Wed and Fri
Service 693 Highleadon, Redmarley and Compton Green To Newent – Mon and Thurs
Service 676 Newent, Redmarley, Taynton, May Hill to Gloucester – Mon and Thurs
Service 679 Newent and Redmarley to Ledbury – Tues and Fri
“We’re delighted to be able to work with Newent Community Transport on the project. “ Said Tim Rosser of community group Buses4Us, “Many people think that Community Transport is just for older people, but it’s not, it’s for anyone who doesn’t drive or have access to a car. Which of course is all our under-16s.”
“We’re very aware that in rural communities like ours young people can get to feel quite isolated, not seeing their school friends for weeks at a time during the holidays. We hope that this scheme will go some way to fighting that isolation, giving them the freedom and independence to jump on the bus and meet up, without having to ask parents for a lift, or money.”
“Children and young people are of course welcome to bring a well-behaved adult with them on the bus if they wish,” said Lydon Biddle of Newent Community Transport, “but we will have to charge adults our normal fares.”
For more information call Newent Community Trasport on 01531 821227, or visit the website here.