South Holland Youth Council is saddened to learn that some young people have received incorrect information about a scheme offering unlimited cross-district transport for a promotional price. Unfortunately the details of the project changed for circumstances out of our control at the last minute, and not all promotional materials were able to be changed or recalled in time.

Indeed unlimited district-wide bus transport was the original intention of the pilot scheme, which is operating in several districts across Lincolnshire and has been organised by Lincolnshire County Council’s Transport Unit and the Lincolnshire Youth Cabinet. Up until the last moment, SHYC believed that the scheme would operate wholly across the district, as it has been able to in Lincoln, Grantham and several other areas.

However, at the eleventh hour, SHYC was shocked to discover that only one transport provider felt able to commit to such a scheme in the district – Brylaine Travel who will still be offering £1 all-day fares to under sixteens all summer on their IntoTown routes. SHYC would like to commend Brylaine on behalf of young people in the district for their progressive and positive approach towards their younger customers. In our opinion it is a tragedy that Lincolnshire County Council has been unable to persuade other operators in the area to follow Brylaine’s lead at this time. As several young people (disappointed to learn of the schemes smaller than anticipated catchment areas) commented, this would have been a wonderful opportunity for those living in the most rural areas to more equitably access the cultural and leisure amenities found in South Holland’s larger towns, not to mention many of the array of holiday activities organised by SHDC.

SHYC, an independent organisation of democratically elected young people representing the youth voice of South Holland, will continue to lobby both transport operators and County travel planners for fairer travel opportunities for all young people, and especially those who need it most: those living in the most rural parts of our district who have told us that difficulties in accessing transport is a real disadvantage to them. SHYC urges young people who have any queries, questions or comment on this unfortunate development to get in contact with us by emailing – the opinions and passions of each young person makes the case that your Youth Council will continue to uphold much stronger. For more information about the reduced-service scheme that will be running this summer on the Spalding IntoTown service, please contact Lincolnshire County Council’s Transport Unit or see the Lincolnshire Youth Cabinet website – http://www.c4yp.co.uk.