§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to exempt children who are in full time education from paying full fares on bus and train services; and if he will make a statement. [85548]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonTransport operators may offer discounted travel for young people commercially if they wish to do so. Local authorities may also provide discounted travel for young people up to the age of 18 who are in full-time education. It is for individual local authorities to decide whether to do so, what the size of any discount should be, and whether it should apply to train as well as bus travel. In addition, it is for Local Education Authorities to decide whether a child qualifies for free or assisted travel to school.
Provision of reduced fares varies, and my Department is currently undertaking a survey of local authorities and operators. The results will be available to the School Travel Advisory Group, which comprises representatives of the relevant Government Departments and of parents, teachers, local authorities and other interested parties, so that the Group can identify and promulgate best practice.