TWENTY THOUSAND KIDS COULD BE MISSING OUT ON TRAVEL BENEFIT IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE

Published 7 June 2018 at 2:26pm

South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) is urging schools, parents and carers to make sure their 11 to 16 year olds get a MegaTravel pass before the summer. The pass guarantees a flat 80p fare for single journeys on buses and trams and half price train tickets within South Yorkshire for all children in that age group.

“There are approximately 75,000 young people eligible for a MegaTravel pass in the region. But, we know at least 20,000 of them are currently missing out on this benefit. We want to make sure that as many of them as possible take advantage of the cheapest fares on public transport available for their age group”, says South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive Director of Customer Services, Tim Taylor.

“We’re urging parents and carers to get applications in early for their children’s passes before the new school year, so they can make the most of the cheaper fares all over the summer.

“It’s easy to get a free MegaTravel pass. Parents or carers can simply apply online and it will be sent to their home. To use the pass children just need to remember to take it and tap it on board or show it before paying their fare.”

The MegaTravel pass is accepted by all operators, on buses, trams and trains in the region, and children can upload a range of weekly and monthly tickets on their pass, saving time and money.

“I first heard about it when someone came to talk to us at school. I wanted to get my MegaTravel to make sure I’ll only pay 80p for a bus journey”, says Year 7 Sheffield student Benjamin Exell.

“I didn’t want to miss out and now can save some money for good stuff.”

Ordering a MegaTravel card online at Travel South Yorkshire is free and quicker than doing it by paper, with an estimated seven days delivery after the application. They are valid up to the 31st July of the year in which a child turns 16, or until the day before their birthday, if it falls in August.

If a customer is unable to apply online, they can post a completed application form to SYPTE or leave it in one of the drop-boxes available at South Yorkshire interchanges.