Free college bus plan to go ahead

A plan to subsidise free bus travel for college students in part of Derbyshire will now go ahead after reservations by the county council had put it in doubt.

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward had agreed in principle with her Manchester counterpart Andy Burnham to extend his existing Our Pass bus travel scheme into the High Peak area.

The plans hit the brakes when Derbyshire County Council leader Barry Lewis said they were unfair to other young people in the county but an agreement has now been reached.

Ms Ward said: "I’m delighted we’ve been able to identify a way forward."

From September, free buses will be available to about 200 High Peak students attending further education colleges in Greater Manchester.

A very small number of students living in the Derbyshire Dales District are also eligible, the BBC understands.

The East Midlands County Combined Authority (EMCCA) is now finalising negotiations with the bus companies who provide the five direct services to colleges.

Ms Ward said: “It’s simply unfair that the lack of further education provision in the High Peak means young people get a worse deal than others in the county.

“It makes good economic sense to support as many students as we can to travel to the colleges where they want to study and learn.

"It’s one of my priorities to make sure everyone gets the skills they need and this is one practical way to help us achieve this for the East Midlands."

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