Issue - meetings

Resolved:

(i)              That the Fare Deal for Young People as set out in this report be endorsed.

(ii)             That the West Yorkshire Concessionary Travel Scheme be amended as set out in this report and published come into effect from 1 April 2021.

(iii)           That the new fare structure be introduced on the lifting of COVID restrictions with a provisional date of 15 February 2021.

(iv)           That any amendment to this date will be made in consultation with the Chair of Transport Committee and notified to members of the Committee.

The Committee considered a report which proposed amendments to the Concessionary Fare Scheme to ensure an affordable and simplified range of fares for under 19s when the Covid restrictions end.

A provisional date of the 15 February 2021 had been set for the new fare structure to be introduced. This date was dependant on the course of the pandemic and national restrictions from government. The Committee would be kept informed of any amendment to the date.

Members had the following questions and comments:

·       Members welcomed the hard work that had gone into the work and emphasised the importance of the scheme for encouraging young people to use the bus.

·       Members noted that fares were capped rather than flat – so if an operator can charge less for any given journey than they will be able to do so.

·       That an M card mobile app was in development which would allow an adult to buy a product for their child so they can pay via the app.

·       Clarity around the introduction of the scheme in February and the recommendation to amend the West Yorkshire Concessionary Travel Scheme in April. The April date was lined up with the end of the financial year for administrative purposes.

Resolved:

(i)              That the Fare Deal for Young People as set out in this report be endorsed.

(ii)             That the West Yorkshire Concessionary Travel Scheme be amended as set out in this report and published come into effect from 1 April 2021.

(iii)           That the new fare structure be introduced on the lifting of COVID restrictions with a provisional date of 15 February 2021.

(iv)           That any amendment to this date will be made in consultation with the Chair of Transport Committee and notified to members of the Committee.