BUS
FARES
A mother told us
her 16 year old, in full school uniform, was able to buy a half
price fare on his journey to Belfast, but
on the way home the Lower 6th pupil had to pay full fare!
So which ticket seller was right?
Well the rules have changed
and it all depends on the date of birth, and where it falls in
relation
to the school year - not
what form they’re in!
Since September 2002, all
children are eligible for half fare travel until they finish
their compulsory
schooling. That is children
whose 16th birthday falls on or after 2nd July and are required
to attend school until 30th June the following year.
The
then Regional Development Minister Gregory Campbell, said
that all
school children will be entitled to travel at
half fare rate on public transport starting in September 2002.
The Minister explained that under previous arrangements, children
who turned 16 during July and August had to pay the full adult
fare for their school travel passes, even though the law required
them to attend school until the end of the following June.
However, their classmates, whose 16th birthdays fell after the
start of the new school year, could still purchase school travel
passes at the half fare rate.
Mr Campbell says:-
"This situation was clearly
unfair and once it was brought to my attention I took immediate
steps
to change the travel concession
scheme.
"Children who reach 16
during July and August and have already paid the full adult
rate for
their Translink school travel pass
for the next school year, will be eligible for a refund.
They or their parents should
contact the Translink office which issued the pass."
Translink recommend
that children get a proof of age card, which is issued free
at every bus and rail station. But the onus is on
the child to prove that they are entitled to a concessionary fare.
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