Don't Tonbridge 6th Formers need Freedom too?...

Empowering young people, improving safety, financially assisting families, promoting healthier lifestyles and encouraging use of sustainable transport are some of the very worthy reasons that the Kent Freedom Pass was introduced by Kent County Council a few years ago. The pass is "free" although there is, somewhat paradoxically, a £50 "administration" fee once a year to obtain one. Not too bad when you consider that the average cost per year to get to school from Tonbridge to Tunbridge Wells is around £750, so £50 is a big saving. Where's the problem then you might be thinking. Well apparently all these reasons for having the Freedom Pass don't apply to six formers and college students. Now ask yourself who's more likely to get the biggest benefit from the pass? Who is more likely to drive in to school and clog up the streets around their school? Who's more likely to risk their lives on a motor scooter rather than fork out for expensive fares. The really scandalous thing is that all school children, no matter how old, are charged full fare, on Arriva buses (and probably others) during the morning peak; so their daily fare would be over three pounds. Yes there are weekly and monthly tickets available but with hardly any savings. Now imagine if you'd bought a weekly pass this week during the icy conditions, with schools being closed and buses being badly delayed. You probably wouldn't be best pleased. So come on KCC spend our money on something which would be of real benefit to young people and parents, as well as freeing the roads and residential streets of yet more unnecesary cars and extend the freedom pass to all students. Maybe by increasing the admin fee to £100 if needs be; that would still be a huge saving for all and would allow it to apply to the students it would truely benefit....