Apprentice ticket to ride

Bus service 184 pictured on Huddersfield Road in Diggle.

APPRENTICES in Oldham can get free bus and Metrolink tickets to travel to work following the launch of a pilot scheme.

The new scheme, developed and funded by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Greater Manchester Apprenticeship Hub on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), gives eligible apprentices the chance to apply for a free 28-day travel pass valid on bus or Metrolink services across the region.

It is in response to feedback from apprentices and their training providers who said they often struggle with transport costs as they are not entitled to discounted travel.

Apprentices from about 30 training providers in Greater Manchester have been invited to take part in the scheme, which will initially run until the end of March next year, with North Lancs Training Group and Oldham College already taking up the offer.

People who are interested in cycling to work can also join the Apprentice Bike to Work scheme, which offers apprentices access to free recycled bikes, cycle training and bike maintenance courses provided by TfGM.

The bikes also come with cycling accessories and safety equipment.

Councillor Andrew Fender, TfGM Committee chairman, said: "The cost of travel can make it difficult for apprentices, particularly young people, to get to work as they are not entitled to the same discounted travel full-time students receive. Giving people recycled bikes and cycle training can set them up with a particularly healthy, low cost and practical way of getting to work - especially where shifts or location rule public transport out.

"We hope that both these schemes, which are part of a wider Travel Choices package aimed at getting people to work in a sustainable way that's good for the economy and the environment, will make it easier for apprentices to travel to work."

If the pilot is successful, TfGM and GMCA plan to roll out a longer-term travel offer for Greater Manchester apprentices.

Councillor Sean Anstee, GMCA's vice-chairman and lead member for skills, employment and worklessness, welcomed the launch, saying: "Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to develop skills, earn a wage and achieve a qualification while working. Around 30,000 people across Greater Manchester take up an apprenticeship each year, but we recognise that apprenticeship wages are sometimes quite low in the early days.

"This scheme will help to balance out travel costs and that's why we're delighted to be working with TfGM on the pilot."

For more information about the scheme contact the TfGM Travel Choices team at access@tfgm.com.