Medway Council have refused to sign up to a scheme that would have seen children travel free on local buses during the summer holidays. Such a scheme is currently being run by Kent County Council, and would have brought a whole host of economic, social and environmental benefits had it been run in Medway too.

Cllr Simon Curry, Medway Labour and Co-operative Group Spokesperson for Regeneration, Culture and Environment said: 

“Once again the people of Medway are losing out because of the lack of ideas of our Council. While families in Maidstone will be able to freely explore their county by bus and have plenty of fun days out, those across the border in our towns won’t be, and will have to pay at rates which are already at some of the most extortionate in the country.

“On behalf of our local families who have lost out, the Labour and Cooperative Group raised this as a question at Full Council last week.”

Cllr Teresa Murray, Deputy Leader of the Medway Labour and Co-operative Group added: 

“This will also be a blow to the many businesses in Medway who will lose out on the extra custom they would have received if we had run a similar scheme here ourselves.An opportunity to help young people restore their independence after the long months of covid lock downs has also been missed and persistent failure to incentivise bus travel makes a nonsense of Medway council’s commitment to reducing emissions.

“The Conservative Party have once again shown themselves to be lacking the drive and creativity that is required to fully unlock Medway’s potential. A Labour victory next May would symbolise a new start for our towns where the interests of our residents are put at the heart of what the Council does.”

ENDS

Notes

The KCC scheme in conjunction with local buses referred to by the quotes – https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/reconnect/free-bus-travel-for-young-people-and-families