Young Person's Travel Pass cost to rise again says Kent County Council

The cost of a travel pass for 11-16-year-olds is to rise by £20 to £270, Kent County Council has said.

The increase represents an 8% rise.

Cllr Matthew Balfour (Con) said the proposed increase represented a modest increase and the pass - known as the Young Persons Travel Pass - represented “fantastic value for money.”

He said the increase covered the extra costs bus operators had said would be needed to run the scheme, which is used by several thousand children.

Mr Balfour said: "Following discussions with bus operators we understand fares will rise by 3% on average. This means, without an increase, it would cost the taxpayer over £400,000 a year.”

He added: “Budgets right across the council are becoming extremely tough but I believe the pass still represents excellent value for money – especially compared to the cost of normal bus travel and it remains an extremely generous scheme.”

But the increase was criticised by opposition parties. Labour group leader Cllr Gordon Cowan said:

“This is a complete cop out by KCC. This is about pushing the burden on to bus companies rather than taking responsibility itself. The council may say it is fantastic value but it is not if you have several children - it is a lot of money to find. I think the council could find other ways to save the money.”

KCC said the daily cost would rise from £1.31 a day to £1.42 a day and at £270, KCC subsidy remains between £200 and £230 per pass on average.”

Last year, the council hiked the price of the pass to £250 from £200 in 2015.

County councillors will be presented with a petition next week calling for the costs this year to be frozen.

Kent County Council agreed last year an annual inflationary increase to the Young Person's Travel Pass could be applied to cover any additional costs to the scheme.

To help families spread the price they can split payment in to two half-yearly passes at £135.

There are to be no changes to the scheme cost for those on low income, remaining at £100 a year and £50 for half a year.

For families who have more than two children, the consecutive passes will remain free of charge.

People can apply for a pass for next year by visiting the KCC website.