Free bus travel for East Lancashire's jobless is just the ticket

2:00pm Monday 14th January 2013 in News

Job Centre’s Heather Marshall, executive member for regeneration Coun Dave Harling, Transdev’s Phil Parkinson and Blackburn with Darwen sustainable travel adviser Cheryl Sandford Job Centre’s Heather Marshall, executive member for regeneration Coun Dave Harling, Transdev’s Phil Parkinson and Blackburn with Darwen sustainable travel adviser Cheryl Sandford

A NEW initiative to improve access to public transport could be just the ticket for jobseekers.

Bus operator Transdev has financed the scheme, which includes giving free bus travel to unemployed people.

The initiative will also see jobseekers paired up with a dedicated travel adviser to help with travel to interviews or training.

The free travel offer is part of a national project running throughout January called Bus For Jobs.

The scheme, organised by the Greener Journey sustainable travel campaign, will be available to those who have been unemployed for between three months and one year and hold a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card.

John Threlfall, business director Transdev Lancashire United, said: “It is a new year and we hope this helps those searching for employment to make a new start.

“Times are difficult and we want to do our bit to help.”

For more information, visit busforus.co.uk

Comments(15)

marcusbrfc95 says...
2:35pm Mon 14 Jan 13

How in gods name is that fair? SO lets get this right, I work day in day out and pay for everything!!! and people who dole doss get free passes??!!?!

How does this make any sense?! Some please explain

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themink says...
2:42pm Mon 14 Jan 13

You must be joking. FFS. Why bother working eh, its a mugs game.

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marcusbrfc95 says...
2:59pm Mon 14 Jan 13

themink wrote:
You must be joking. FFS. Why bother working eh, its a mugs game.
Agreed, mugs us two working eh?!

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lwg76 says...
3:02pm Mon 14 Jan 13

This is nothing new, Job seekers sent on interviews have always been allowed to claim expenses under the Travel to Interview Scheme,

From the website, "Jobcentre Plus can help you to get to your job interview and provide a tax-free payment for parents bringing up children alone. Find out more, including how to apply."

That scheme has now closed and obviously this is a replacement but it will not produce a single vacancy, and, Transdev will probably not be paying for it out of their pockets, they will be adjusting their prices and claiming a tax deduction and grants to maintain profitability.

Also, consider this, a bus pass to get to interviews is worthless if there are no buses to take you there anyway.

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happycyclist says...
3:03pm Mon 14 Jan 13

Stupid stunt. If they're going to give help with jobseeker's travel to interviews, the scheme needs to run for longer than just a month -when the LT is advertising it halfway through that month!

BwDBC 'Sustainable Travel Advisor' and Jobcentre's Heather Marshall -are you really earning your public sector wages with this rubbish?

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marcusbrfc95 says...
3:12pm Mon 14 Jan 13

lwg76 wrote:
This is nothing new, Job seekers sent on interviews have always been allowed to claim expenses under the Travel to Interview Scheme,

From the website, "Jobcentre Plus can help you to get to your job interview and provide a tax-free payment for parents bringing up children alone. Find out more, including how to apply."

That scheme has now closed and obviously this is a replacement but it will not produce a single vacancy, and, Transdev will probably not be paying for it out of their pockets, they will be adjusting their prices and claiming a tax deduction and grants to maintain profitability.

Also, consider this, a bus pass to get to interviews is worthless if there are no buses to take you there anyway.
With that last point I agree, buses are a bit crap nowadays, however, I pay a fair amount for buses in a month, why should I pay so much when the jobless pay nothing??

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happycyclist says...
4:55pm Mon 14 Jan 13

lwg76 wrote:
This is nothing new, Job seekers sent on interviews have always been allowed to claim expenses under the Travel to Interview Scheme,

From the website, "Jobcentre Plus can help you to get to your job interview and provide a tax-free payment for parents bringing up children alone. Find out more, including how to apply."

That scheme has now closed and obviously this is a replacement but it will not produce a single vacancy, and, Transdev will probably not be paying for it out of their pockets, they will be adjusting their prices and claiming a tax deduction and grants to maintain profitability.

Also, consider this, a bus pass to get to interviews is worthless if there are no buses to take you there anyway.
Jobseekers could only get help with travel expenses to interviews for journeys over one and a half hours away on public transport. You don't go for in interview in Accy from Blackburn and get free travel because you're on the dole. Let's get that straight.

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mys says...
5:51pm Mon 14 Jan 13

Why shouldn't they get help to go to interviews? It cost more on bus fairs than taxis do these days.if it helps the jobless to get a job go for it, I think it's a brilliant idea,there are more decent people out there that would give anything to be back in work,you lot on here need to stop judging them because one day you might be in there shoes.

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2 for 5p says...
7:11pm Mon 14 Jan 13

Not one single job will be created through this it's just a free bus trip down to signing on , and to the pub .

Personally I think transdev are kicking there customers who work in the teeth.

I call on all workers to boycott transdev split taxis it would probably be same price if 4 share.

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alldaylong says...
8:33pm Mon 14 Jan 13

If this is the same scheme advertised in December its only for 18- 25 year olds.

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Reality50 says...
9:07pm Mon 14 Jan 13

I am unemployed and asked about this scheme and nobody at the job centre knew about it. I suspect it doesn't exist to all claimants. I have asked now at three different job centres. Bus fares are extortionate so free travel to interviews would be a big help. Last Monday I had to walk five and a half miles round trip to an interview because couldn't afford the fiver return bus fare.

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happycyclist says...
9:16pm Mon 14 Jan 13

Reality50 wrote:
I am unemployed and asked about this scheme and nobody at the job centre knew about it. I suspect it doesn't exist to all claimants. I have asked now at three different job centres. Bus fares are extortionate so free travel to interviews would be a big help. Last Monday I had to walk five and a half miles round trip to an interview because couldn't afford the fiver return bus fare.
Good comment. Your 'Reality 50' username is appropriate.

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2 for 5p says...
10:01pm Mon 14 Jan 13

Reality50 wrote:
I am unemployed and asked about this scheme and nobody at the job centre knew about it. I suspect it doesn't exist to all claimants. I have asked now at three different job centres. Bus fares are extortionate so free travel to interviews would be a big help. Last Monday I had to walk five and a half miles round trip to an interview because couldn't afford the fiver return bus fare.
Good the exercise will do you good .

Well come off it you've newt better to do being jobless.

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Juan Hunose says...
7:39am Thu 17 Jan 13

I think you will find that this scheme is quite limited open only to those unemployed for more than 3 months and less than 12 months and aged 18 or over.

It's so easy for you lot to knock the bus company and the Council who are at least trying to do something.

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Juan Hunose says...
2:50pm Thu 17 Jan 13

2 for 5p wrote:
Not one single job will be created through this it's just a free bus trip down to signing on , and to the pub .

Personally I think transdev are kicking there customers who work in the teeth.

I call on all workers to boycott transdev split taxis it would probably be same price if 4 share.
I think you will find that all the bus groups are doing this, not just Transdev.

Transdev already offer significant discounts to students and adults through period tickets available both on bus and on line.

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