HALF FARES FOR STUDENTS: NEW POLICY LAUNCH

6.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 6th Jun 2007

Speaking tonight at the London University Union, Geoff Pope, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesman at the London Assembly, will announce new plans to give students 50% off bus, Tube, DLR and tram fares.

Geoff Pope will say:

"Half fares on London's buses and Tube would be a real help to most of London's students, many of whom are deeply in debt and strapped for cash.

London is the high fares capital of the world. Our proposals will make a real difference to thousands of young people who live and study here.

Calling on Mayor Ken Livingstone to act now, Mr Pope will say:

"It would be great if the Mayor moved straightaway to halve fares for students. It would be yet another of our good ideas he's used. My guess is we'll have to wait till the election next year and for students and their families to back us."

The Liberal Democrat plan would operate through the Student Oyster photocard and would give a 50% reduction on both Travelcard and Bus Pass season tickets. The concession would be valid on buses, the Tube, DLR and trams. There would be no time restriction on the concession:

"We know many students have to be in by 9 a.m. to labs, lectures and exams. But none of them are going to travel during peak hours unless they have to."

Strongly critical of central Government's policies on student loans and fees, Mr Pope will say:

"On average it costs a university student £5,000 a year more than he or she can get with the maximum student loan. In 1992 only a third owed money; now 90% are in debt. This turns off many poorer students from applying to university - those who do go are forced to do so many hours of paid work that it is harming their chance of getting a decent degree.

"It's a pretty poor legacy from both Blair and Brown. We have to do better."

Notes to Editors:

1. The Liberal Democrat plan for half fares for students builds on Transport for London's existing concessions, which are available to students on approved courses at universities and colleges in London which have entered into a formal arrangement with TfL to administer accreditation. The concession will be available when students use a Student Oyster photo pass for either Travelcard or Bus Pass season ticket.

2. The Liberal Democrats estimate that their plan will add less than £20 million to TfL's costs. Currently TfL's offer to students is a 30% discount on Travelcard and Bus Pass season tickets, which Malcolm Murray-Clark of TfL in a letter to Keith Hill MP [12 Feb 07] states is worth around £30 million each year. Our half-fare discount will add £20 million to this subsidy, though in reality it is likely to be significantly less than this since administration costs will remain much the same.

3. In 2005/06 TfL underspent their Budget by £91m and £42 in 2004/05. Their advertising marketing and communications budget for 2006/07 is £48m and Liberal Democrats at the London Assembly have repeatedly called for this to be trimmed.