Local MP Norman Baker has echoed concerns voiced by the National Union of Students that the implementation of the Concessionary Bus Travel Bill could lead to price rises for students in the local area.
The Bill, which is broadly supported by Mr Baker, is currently at committee stage and contains measures which seek to give free off-peak bus travel to older and disabled people. Despite the intention of the Bill being to cut the cost of bus travel, concerns have arisen that students and others may be forced to foot the bill for cuts in the price of bus travel for others.
National statistics produced by the Department for Education and Skills show that a 25% increase in student expenditure is due largely to rises in transport costs. Students in the local area are particularly vulnerable to any further rise in the price of bus travel as a large number frequently use bus services to travel to and from university.
Commenting on the issue Norman Baker said:
"The NUS is right to raise concerns about the implementation of this Bill. My Lib Dem colleagues and I support the aim of the Bill, which is to give free off-peak travel to older and disabled people.
"However it is important that this free travel is not paid for by students. The government must insure that concessions for the elderly and disabled are not balanced by a rise in the price that students pay for bus travel."
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