Young trainees to get half price travel
Thousands of young workers in the Black Country will be given half price bus and tram travel, Mayor Andy Street has announced.
Apprentices and trainees aged under 18 will be able to take advantage of the offer after the scheme was launched to help young people stay in work without worrying about travel costs.
Currently, those aged between 16 and 18 and in full-time education are eligible for half price travel but this will now be extended to those on apprenticeships or traineeships.
Transport for West Midlands said it also hoped to have an agreement in place to extend the half price scheme to train services by the time the scheme goes live in a few weeks’ time.
The deal will run on a trial basis for 12 months.
Mr Street said: “Young apprentices and trainees are often some of the lowest paid employees so being charged the full fare to travel can take a huge chunk out of their wages.
“It may also be a contributing factor in why some drop out before completing their apprenticeships and that is a shame.
“Not only does that hurt their own future, it also hurts the future prosperity of our region because it’s critical our young people are equipped with the skills needed to fill the jobs being created here.
“We hope this scheme will make it easier to them to continue on their chosen career path.”
