Dudley students and local colleges lead transport campaign event
Dudley College Students' Union, in collaboration with local colleges and universities, organised the West Midlands Transportation Campaign event hosted at Dudley Council House Chambers.
The Students’ Unions are advocating for free or significantly discounted travel and more reliable bus services, with the aim of ensuring that transport is accessible for all students and never to be a barrier to education. statistics underline an unacceptable reality.
In many communities, students are forced to choose between their education, their health, supporting their families, and meeting their basic needs. We are seeking verified statistics and a petition to sign so we can better understand the scope of this issue and advocate for meaningful change.
The event marked a key milestone in the campaign, bringing together targeted stakeholder engagement.
Sonia Kumar MP (Dudley), Matthew Lewis Commercial Director (Bus & Operations) Transport for West Midlands, the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Waseem Ali, and representatives from the Journeys for Everyone initiative took questions from the audience and heard opinions shared by students about their transportation and life experiences.
Dudley College Students’ Union President Kaynat Ahmad said: "We are proud to share some highlights from this campaign and represent student voices, collaborate across institutions, and help build momentum for meaningful, student-led change across our region. While the campaign builds on existing discounted schemes, we are calling for a permanent comprehensive free travel model that supports access to education, improves attendance and participation, reduces road congestion, lower carbon emissions, and enhances student wellbeing."
"It's a really meaningful discussion throughout the event and the VIPs are really engaging and they actively took a part in the Q&A session. Having key decision makers present made the discussions on policy, operation, safety and delivery truly impactful. This campaign is built on real experiences and is only the beginning.
"We will continue to ensure students' voices are heard and look forward to hearing government transport initiatives planned for students in 2027”.
