Young people launch road tests to improve transport

● Research to help shape future bus and train travel

0 Two-thirds of young people think they are missing out on special offers and discount bus fares Teams of young people are being recruited to road test public transport to devise improvements for the next generation of passengers.

Their findings will be sent to ministers and operators to help shape the future of bus and rail travel.

The nine-month project comes two months after a report showed young people feared they were missing out on the cheapest way to travel.

Fifteen-strong “regional

GLASGOW

design teams” of 16- to 25-yearolds will investigate travel in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Fife and Clackmannanshire as part of the 2018 Year of Young People.

The ytravel research is being spearheaded by youth information charity Young Scot and the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership co-ordinating body.

Young Scot is seeking volunteers from youth groups to take part, whose ideas will go to the Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland agency and transport firms.

In December, a report by the charity and bus operator Stagecoach found two-thirds of young people questioned thought they were missing out on special offers and discounts. One in four were not confident they had bought the cheapest ticket.

Young Scot chief executive Louise Macdonald said: “Young people tell us travel is one of the biggest challenges they face.

“Affordable and accessible public transport that goes where young people need it to and when they need it to, unlocks all sorts of opportunities and services for them.

“Theytravel is a great opportunity for young people to work together to create solutions to the issues they face every day.”

Anthony Smith, chief executive of passenger watchdog Transport Focus, said it had called for fares and discounts to be more widely publicised by operators.

Nigel Serafini, commercial director of Lothian Buses, said it offered a range of fares, free wifi and USB charging points on many buses “to help make our services more attractive to young people”.

Transport minister Humza Yousaf said: “It is fitting in this Year of Young People we provide young people the opportunity to have their say on how our transport system should adapt to meet their needs.”

The Scotrail Alliance said: “We want as many people as possible to use the railway, and always welcome constructive feedback on how we can encourage this.”