Unemployed could get free bus travel (From This is Hampshire)
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Unemployed could get free bus travel
4:26pm Wednesday 16th November 2011 in News
A bus operating in Southampton
THE unemployed could be given free public transport tickets, in a drive towards greener travel.
As reported earlier this year, Southampton City Council has won a Government grant worth £3.9m to spend on encouraging more people to use sustainable transport.
Plans are still being finalised, but a joint project with Job Centre Plus is likely to feature.
The proposals were revealed at a conference to celebrate the fourth anniversary of StreetTread, a partnership between the council, NHS and transport charity Sustrans.
Since it was started in 2007, the project has been behind initiatives such as the annual Big Bike Celebration, walking for health and a bike loan scheme, aiming to encourage people to ditch the car.
StreetTread is also likely to be at the forefront of plans to spend the injection of Government funding, which will be used over the next three years.
Frank Baxter, Southampton City Council travel and transport manager, said: “One of the projects we’re looking at is how we can support people to get into work, looking at working with Job Centre Plus.
“People out of work could be given a public transport season ticket to allow them to attend interviews, and also during their first month when they’re not being paid.
“We may also provide them with some personalised travel planning.”
The money is also expected to go to projects in deprived areas of Southampton to encourage more people to cycle and walk while there will be research into why people are not using trains and buses.
Mr Baxter said attitudes need to change, adding: “We have got the growth in the city – which we want, with the jobs and everything that brings.
“However we expect there will be a 50 per cent increase in trips into and out of the city centre over the next few years.
“We have got to get into the hearts and minds of people to understand why they make trips by car.”
Those attending the conference who have been involved in StreetTread over the past four years said they hoped to see the work continuing.
Project co-ordinator Thea Bjaaland said the future was hopeful for StreetTread.
She added: “With the Local Sustainable Transport Funding it looks like there’s going to be a project that is going to be bigger and better, but hopefully whatever comes along it will involve StreetTread.
“A lot of the time it’s been a matter of trying to do what we can with the funding we have – so this is very significant. It’s going to be an exciting time over the next three years.”
Comments(28)
BooHissBoo
says...
4:59pm Wed 16 Nov 11
IronLady2010 wrote:Unemployed people don't get free public transport. This is a long overdue initiative as bus travel in Southampton is expensive and for somebody getting £65 p/w in Jobseekers Allowance, forking out £15-£20 p/w to cover transport costs (keeping in mind your benefit stops the second you start working and you probably won't get any income from you new job for a month until your first pay packet) is not possible.
Unemployed Jobseekers already get free travel. They get everything they need in order to search for a job. It would seem too many Jobseekers just don't want a job.
Well, not if you want to do things like feed your children too.
Anything that supports people to get back on their own two feet should be applauded. At the moment NOBODY in a job is safe, no matter how skilled you are or how hard you work. Companies are going under every day, let's hope YOU don't find yourself skint, unemployed and unable to get to an interview on the other side of the city because you can't afford the £6 bus fare.
IronLady2010
says...
5:06pm Wed 16 Nov 11
"Important update: Travel to Interview scheme is now closed"
Interview expenses were once covered. Another cut back ;-)
From the Edge
says...
5:38pm Wed 16 Nov 11
I don't see the need to do a survey to find out why don't use buses or trains, probably the price is way to high.
I understand that a barrier to work is the price of travelling on public transport, but you need jobs to actually go for, with unemployment figures rising almost daily, I can't see the point of giving the unemployed a season ticket.
How about giving people in work season ticket for half price travel, the savings by the individual on other things locally, keeping shop staff in work,,,,,reward the workers not the shirkers, for a change.
dogbruce
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5:41pm Wed 16 Nov 11
Maine Lobster
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5:47pm Wed 16 Nov 11
NextPM
says...
6:04pm Wed 16 Nov 11
Condor Man
says...
6:23pm Wed 16 Nov 11
IronLady2010
says...
6:29pm Wed 16 Nov 11
Condor Man wrote:I rarely see a Taxi outside the City Job Centre. I do see nice cars though ;-)
I regularly see taxis parked outside the job centre on Bernard St with claimants getting in and out. Perhaps to be truly green they should be like Norman Tebbit's dad and get on their bike and look for work?
rich the stitch
says...
6:37pm Wed 16 Nov 11
From the Edge
says...
6:39pm Wed 16 Nov 11
IronLady2010 wrote:Up until last year I worked in a office near the Job Centre and I have to agree with CM, many a time did I see taxi's pull up, wait whilst the occupant enter the Job Centre and signed on and jump back in.
Condor Man wrote:I rarely see a Taxi outside the City Job Centre. I do see nice cars though ;-)
I regularly see taxis parked outside the job centre on Bernard St with claimants getting in and out. Perhaps to be truly green they should be like Norman Tebbit's dad and get on their bike and look for work?
Another haunt for the jobless/workless is the Standing Order pub, pop in any time and you will see the beers flowing and listen to the boasting about being on the sick/DLA or on the rock n roll, stress and depression is a favourite with the regulars.
IronLady2010
says...
6:57pm Wed 16 Nov 11
From the Edge wrote:I'd rather not pop into the Standing Order thank you. It's bad enough walking past looking at the toothless.
IronLady2010 wrote:Up until last year I worked in a office near the Job Centre and I have to agree with CM, many a time did I see taxi's pull up, wait whilst the occupant enter the Job Centre and signed on and jump back in.
Condor Man wrote:I rarely see a Taxi outside the City Job Centre. I do see nice cars though ;-)
I regularly see taxis parked outside the job centre on Bernard St with claimants getting in and out. Perhaps to be truly green they should be like Norman Tebbit's dad and get on their bike and look for work?
Another haunt for the jobless/workless is the Standing Order pub, pop in any time and you will see the beers flowing and listen to the boasting about being on the sick/DLA or on the rock n roll, stress and depression is a favourite with the regulars.
forest hump
says...
7:14pm Wed 16 Nov 11
Linesman
says...
8:03pm Wed 16 Nov 11
It is also reported that many employers are reducing staff to reduce costs.
A combination of staff reductions and high unemployment makes me wonder where the unemployed would go if they get a free bus pass.
Condor Man
says...
8:10pm Wed 16 Nov 11
Linesman wrote:According to From the Edge they'd all go to the nearest Wetherspoons
According to statistics announced today, unemployment is at a 17 year high, and youth unemployment is at a record high.
It is also reported that many employers are reducing staff to reduce costs.
A combination of staff reductions and high unemployment makes me wonder where the unemployed would go if they get a free bus pass.
From the Edge
says...
8:22pm Wed 16 Nov 11
Condor Man wrote:Take a look CM, you would be amazed at the amount of taxpayers money gets spent in there.
Linesman wrote:According to From the Edge they'd all go to the nearest Wetherspoons
According to statistics announced today, unemployment is at a 17 year high, and youth unemployment is at a record high.
It is also reported that many employers are reducing staff to reduce costs.
A combination of staff reductions and high unemployment makes me wonder where the unemployed would go if they get a free bus pass.
IronLady2010
says...
8:36pm Wed 16 Nov 11
From the Edge wrote:I would hope that most normal people don't entertain such a venue. Call me a snob if you wish!
Condor Man wrote:Take a look CM, you would be amazed at the amount of taxpayers money gets spent in there.
Linesman wrote:According to From the Edge they'd all go to the nearest Wetherspoons
According to statistics announced today, unemployment is at a 17 year high, and youth unemployment is at a record high.
It is also reported that many employers are reducing staff to reduce costs.
A combination of staff reductions and high unemployment makes me wonder where the unemployed would go if they get a free bus pass.
Rob444
says...
8:52pm Wed 16 Nov 11
Some parts of Southampton are now without a bus service, e.g. Golden Grove and Kingsland estates.
forest hump
says...
8:58pm Wed 16 Nov 11
IronLady2010 wrote:you are a snob
From the Edge wrote:I would hope that most normal people don't entertain such a venue. Call me a snob if you wish!Condor Man wrote:Take a look CM, you would be amazed at the amount of taxpayers money gets spent in there.Linesman wrote: According to statistics announced today, unemployment is at a 17 year high, and youth unemployment is at a record high. It is also reported that many employers are reducing staff to reduce costs. A combination of staff reductions and high unemployment makes me wonder where the unemployed would go if they get a free bus pass.According to From the Edge they'd all go to the nearest Wetherspoons
tuesday
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9:13pm Wed 16 Nov 11
focus19
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9:17pm Wed 16 Nov 11
IronLady2010
says...
9:18pm Wed 16 Nov 11
Rob444 wrote:Would you drive a bus in those areas?
A £3,900,000 grant so why have there been recent bus cuts?
Some parts of Southampton are now without a bus service, e.g. Golden Grove and Kingsland estates.
loosehead
says...
9:38pm Wed 16 Nov 11
From the Edge
says...
9:44pm Wed 16 Nov 11
loosehead wrote:Taxis? take a look at the Job Centre on any given weekday, they already use taxis, courtesy of the taxpayer.
NO WAY. the teachers the strikers even OAP's are saying why don't you do something to the unemployed ? the scroungers who wouldn't work even if you offered them a job or the one's fiddling & claiming invalidity pay when there's nothing wrong with them so what incentive do we give them to look for work? Free bus journey's unbelievable why not just give them taxis?
IronLady2010
says...
10:38pm Wed 16 Nov 11
I do see People carriers and chav cars (the ones with spoliers) all of which are nearly new.
The people visiting the Job Centre have more money than me judging by some of the vehicles!
Condor Man
says...
11:11pm Wed 16 Nov 11
IronLady2010 wrote:I live off Highfield Lane, we get 1 bus an hour off peak so it affects not just the grotty parts of the city. That said, you can walk into town from Golden Grove so why do people need a bus?
Rob444 wrote:Would you drive a bus in those areas?
A £3,900,000 grant so why have there been recent bus cuts?
Some parts of Southampton are now without a bus service, e.g. Golden Grove and Kingsland estates.
MSK
says...
7:05am Thu 17 Nov 11
IronLady2010 wrote:That scheme was great. When I was living in the UK, I applied for jobs in Aberdeen, Exeter, Cardiff, Luton and London. I got offerred all of these jobs and it wouldn't have been possible without TIS. It's crazy they have scrapped it, as those with specialist skills could travel to interview anywhere in the country, increase their chance of getting a job and ultimately quit claiming JSA. Instead, these jobseekers will be restricted to looking in their local area, whilst in other areas they have vacancies which can't be filled - madness!
I apologise, it was the case a short time back...... "Important update: Travel to Interview scheme is now closed" Interview expenses were once covered. Another cut back ;-)
OSPREYSAINT
says...
10:29am Thu 17 Nov 11
Condor Man wrote:Why do you automatically think that all unemployed people are skint? If they use taxi's that is supplying trade for the cab drivers isn't it? There are a lot of people out there that are not badly off, but desperately want to work for their living, especially those that have been made redundant. The best way to encourage people to use the bus is to supply a decent service, the recent cuts are making life difficult for those without cars. Motorists are always complaining about increased car parking charges, but it doesn't change their habits, they don't seek a cheaper alternative, because it's too convenient to jump into the car and go where they need to be.
I regularly see taxis parked outside the job centre on Bernard St with claimants getting in and out. Perhaps to be truly green they should be like Norman Tebbit's dad and get on their bike and look for work?
IronLady2010 says...
4:48pm Wed 16 Nov 11
It would seem too many Jobseekers just don't want a job.