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A St. Helier Deputy has succeeded in his push for the Government to fund a new £20 bus pass system for under-18s.
Deputy Rob Ward put forward the amendment to the Government Plan 2022-2025 to encourage more people to use the bus, reduce school traffic and ease the cost burden on low-income families.
He estimated the change would save families around £260 annually, as return trips to and from school with a student Avanchicard across a week would total £8.50.
If the Government Plan is passed in its entirety, it means that children and young people will be able to benefit from unlimited bus travel once a pass is purchased for £20 - a figure aiming to cover administrative costs. It will begin in 2022, and the success of the scheme will later be reviewed, with a report published by the start of the new academic year.
Deputy Ward said it would be difficult to quantify the exact cost of the scheme due to "paucity of data", but added in the report laying out his plan: "...Using the figures from current concessions and possible revenue raising from the £20 charge to cost can be around £610,000.
"The Government Plan levies significant funds to LibertyBus totalling £3.75m between 2021 to 2024... This is an opportunity to include this project in this funding. Any additional costs can be taken from future climate change funds. This allows recovery of known costs after the review should this be necessary."
Several Ministers were not supportive of the idea, in particular due to the lack of data around running costs of the scheme, while the Infrastructure Minister explained that he had planned his own review of the bus service.
Constable of St. Brelade Mike Jackson said he was “reluctant” to support the plan “as opposed to increasing frequency” of buses.
St. Helier’s Constable Simon Crowcroft said he would rather prioritise improving cycling and walking routes. Deputy Ward later responded by asking why the Constable had not moved to improve this himself, while noting that: “If we can encourage young people to travel to school on the bus, it might mean less cars on the road which is a trigger for improving walking and cycling.” The Constable was registered as "not present" for the vote.
Pictured: Deputy Rob Ward, who won his amendment.
Education Minister Deputy Scott Wickenden questioned: “Where does the money come from? Nothing’s free. What do they want to de-prioritise?” However, he later voted in favour, alongside Environment Minister John Young, Housing Minister Russell Labey, and International Development Minister Carolyn Labey. No other Ministers supported the proposal.
Assistant Chief Minister Deputy Rowland Huelin said he did not accept some of the criticism by States Members of Liberty Bus’s current provisions and contract with Government, which doesn’t have an annual return to the public written in. He said it was a “recurring theme” in the States Assembly that businesses are invited to provide public services at arms’ length, before tweaks are made to their operations by politicians “for tactical gains without asking the provider if it is feasible”.
St. John's Constable Andy Jehan also defended Liberty Bus, saying he was impressed with the provision it provided, with more than 30 buses coming into the parish each day.
Defending his plans, Deputy Rob Ward shared more than 10 testimonies from local families, saying their “voices need to be heard.”
One single parent, who said they struggled with the cost of the bus transport for their child, was quoted as saying: “When you’re on a low income here, everything seems so expensive. ‘Putting children first’, when exactly?”
It was the second attempt by Deputy Ward to secure subsidised public transport for young people. Last year, his bid to change the Government’s spending plans to allow islanders aged under 21 to travel on the bus for free was defeated by 28 votes to 18.
However, this time, the proposal passed with 23 votes in favour and 20 against. Six individuals were absent and did not cast a vote. You can find out how each States Member voted HERE.
It marked the fourth backbench victory in this year’s Government Plan debate. On Tuesday, States Members won a battle over stamp duty and secured a lower alcohol duty rise.
On Wednesday, the Government defeated backbench efforts to widen the Health Access Scheme and block £20m being put into a dedicated Technology Fund.
Then this morning, Constable Mike Jackson’s proposal for a £500,000 inquiry into Jersey’s handling of the pandemic succeeded – however, it only passed following a tweak from Ministers to push it back to July 2022 to ensure that good governance is in place and that the Chair leading the review is truly independent.
AMENDMENTS: The 26 spending battles being fought this week
SCRUTINY'S VIEW: Flurry of recommendations issued before Gov Plan debate kicks off
DEBATE UPDATES:
Day 1: Stamp duty, alcohol duty, borrowing...
Day 2: Health Access Scheme, Technology Fund, £500k Covid Review...
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