Applications Open For Under-19 Bus Pass Scheme

Everyone aged 18 and under who lives in Jersey can now apply for a smart card to use the bus for £20 a year.

The new scheme will start on Monday 21 March.

Those who are eligible are being urged to fill in their application form as soon as possible so they can be processed and collected in time.

"We are trying to avoid having queues of people waiting for their cards to be processed in the bus station, so sending in your form online will ensure applications are processed as quickly as possible.

"Payment will need to be made upon collection of the card at Liberation Station, along with proof of the social security/registration number." - Kevin Hart, Director of LibertyBus.

All cards need a recent, passport-style photo as the card is for the use of the named cardholder only.

They'll be issued yearly and will expire on the cardholder's birthday.

Deputy Rob Ward won a States vote to reduce the cost of bus travel for children and young people in the government plan.

He pushed for it to be in place for the start of 2022, but the Infrastructure Minister said more time was needed to get the scheme in place.

It'll be reviewed after a year to assess costs, take-up, and customer satisfaction.

"I am looking forward to seeing how the trial progresses this year and am pleased to see the application process is open from this weekend.

I’m particularly keen to see the impact the scheme has on the number of children using the bus, and on the level of school traffic." - Deputy Kevin Lewis, Infrastructure Minister.

Applications forms are on the LibertyBus website.