The council's transport chief has said Labour’s travel offers don’t go far enough

“We are being drip-fed morsels and told to believe it is a feast”: Portsmouth councillor calls for £1 bus fares

Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet member for transport, Peter Candlish, has criticised Andy Burnham’s travel fare offers for 16 to 18-year-olds.

Andy Burnham, Labour’s newly appointed prime minister, extended the 16-17 Saver railcard to 18-year-olds, giving them access to a 50 per cent discount.

This comes alongside the £2 bus fare cap, which will be introduced from January 2027, and the Summer Offer, which makes eligible bus services free for five to 15-year-olds throughout August.

Cllr Candlish argues that the proposed savings “aren’t free”, as people need to pay £35 for the railcard, while 18 to 25 Railcards already offer a 33 per cent discount.

He said the offers “only helps a small number of people aged 18” for an extra 17 per cent discount, something he doubts would make much difference.

“What would really make a difference for young people in Portsmouth is cheaper buses.

“This would make a real difference to struggling parents, factory workers, commuters and yes, young people who use public transport all year round to go to school or college, work in often low paid jobs or visit friends.

“A flat £1 fare will also get more people to ditch the car and use public transport. In turn, this would help address congestion, parking and air quality concerns and show that the Labour government was serious about sustainable travel and public transport.

“The Labour government under new PM Andy Burnham is all show and no substance. We are being drip-fed morsels and told to believe it is a feast.

“Our country needs radical change. If the PM really wants to help young people and let everyone move around a city like Portsmouth more easily, cut the single capped fare to £1. Labour put this up to £3 and now only promises to return to £2.

“Cut it to £1 and see what a difference that makes to ordinary people’s travel budgets and transport habits.”

The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked the government to respond to the proposal and if there were any plans to introduce bus discounts for 16-18 year olds.

In response, the Department for Transport said it had nothing to add on the subject beyond its £2 bus fare cap announcement from July 22.

In the announcement, the prime minister said “no one should be priced out” of public transport and that “lower fares will help people get to where they need to – giving them breathing space to help with the cost of living”.