Last week the Department for Infrastructure announced a 7% increase in transport fares from March 2023.
Chloe Ferguson, NUS-USI President responded:
“We were concerned to see the freeze on transport fares overturned by the Secretary of State and the impact this will have on our students.
We note some recognition of the challenges young people have faced through the pandemic and now in the cost of living crisis, something we have been campaigning tirelessly on.
Students aged 16-23, with a Y-link card prices will drop from 1/3 to 50% off which is a step in the right direction but unfortunately does not go far enough.
Our Cost of Survival campaign has been calling for free transport for all students and apprentices so no one misses out on their education because they can’t afford to get to class or placement. We also need to see fuel support for students where accessing public transport isn’t an option. This is hitting students from the poorest background hardest and it simply isn’t good enough.
We need free public transport for all students and apprentices now.”
Sign up to our Free Transport for Students campaign.
