Parents who are buying their growing kids bigger uniforms and shoes are being urged not to let their carbon footprint grow bigger too by driving their children to school when the new term starts.
Transport authority Centro is helping parents cut pollution and congestion on the roads by encouraging children to walk, cycle or take the bus, train or tram everyday.
But what is the best and cheapest way for children to get to school without creating a big hole in your pocket and an even bigger one in the ozone layer?
Centro is urging parents to take advantage of a whole range of tickets for children aged 5-15 and holders of the Network West Midlands 16-18 photocard and there are direct debit options making the tickets cheaper and spreading the cost out over ten months.
Rachel Hooper, sustainable travel officer (schools) at Centro said:
“Getting children to school cheaply while keeping your environmental credentials in-tact could not be easier.
“By using public transport parents can encourage their children to be active and independent as well as helping the environment too.”
Fare saving tickets include:
The ntrain Term Extra costs £86.00 and provides unlimited train travel on standard class services within the specified Network West Midlands rail zones and as far as Rugeley Trent Valley. This is also available as a Monthly Direct Debit ntrain at £25.80 over ten months.
The nnetwork Term Extra costs £111.00 and allows unlimited bus and Metro travel, plus train travel within the specified Network West Midlands rail zones. Tickets also cover bus services to and from the following areas outside of the Network West Midlands area: Baginton, Bilbrook, Codsall, Himley, Hollywood, Gannow, Keresley, Kinver, Little Aston, Pattingham, Perton, Rubery, Swindon, Wombourne and Wythall. Additional rail add on tickets to stations outside of the Network West Midlands area are also available with this ticket. Parents can also spread the cost of this ticket over ten months by buying the Monthly Direct Debit nnetwork ticket for £30.00 per month.
The nbus Term Extra costs £87.00 and offers unlimited travel on over 35 different bus operator’s services throughout the Network West Midlands area. Parents can break down this cost buying the Monthly Direct Debit bus at £23.20 per month over ten months.
The bus and Metro Term Extra costs £103.00 and offers unlimited travel on over 35 different bus operator's services throughout the Network West Midlands area as well as use of the Metro. This ticket is also available as a Monthly Direct Debit nbus and Metro ticket at £28.20 per month for 10 months.
Young people can also visit www.letzgogreen.org, Centro’s interactive educational website where they can play a range of interactive games, listen to stories and read comic strips about travelling to school and using public transport for leisure activities. It also covers walking and cycling to encourage kids to think about the impact their journeys have on the environment.
For more information about fare saving tickets visit www.networkwestmidlands.com.
