(21 Oct 2022, 1:30 pm)mb134 wrote I, partially, understand that logic but it assumes that the decision isn't made by most people by the time they finish school.
As you suggest, I think most people decide on whether the bus is a viable transport option due to things like convenience and reliability. I accept that cost will play a part, but the reality is that the bus will be cheaper than the car even at "regular" prices anyway. Allowing 25 year olds significantly discounted travel will inevitably impact upon the revenue of the routes they use, potentially resulting in cuts, and you're then not going to keep them anyway.
From a personal point of view, I use the bus to commute every day. While cost was part of the decision, even my "regular" monthly pass is over £100 a month cheaper than what I'd be spending on petrol alone, the main reasons for my choice are the speed of the journey and the convenience of it. If I drive, it'll take around 40 minutes depending on roadworks and general congestion - the bus takes just over an hour and I can spend the entire time doing things I actually want to be doing.
But again, it all depends on personal circumstances.
My little part time job at 18 was (according to Google maps) 6.6miles in the car from home to work.
It took 15mins and was approx 10p per mile.
The bus took approx 25mins (plus a walk) and was around £1.50 (it got more expensive) there. Can't remember the exact return fare, but a return trip in the car was still cheaper than a single trip on the bus.
Working on the bus, wasn't a thing. Not unless I started flogging stuff from the shop, to unsuspecting passengers.
Those factors all impacted on my decision to learn to drive and without a doubt, it was the best decision I ever made.
There's no way I could have done the jobs I did (transport sector or otherwise), without that licence.
GAG indirectly shaped my life through their fare structure and poor offer.
Eldest Constantopolous is the same. A shite bus service encouraged him to drive. Even though he was (and still is) eligible for those cheaper fares.
He now has a job he couldn't have done, if he didn't drive.
If the bus service met his needs, who knows whether he would have taken the plunge and learned to drive.
(21 Oct 2022, 1:38 pm)DeltaMan wrote This is precisely why I always purchased a Teen Travel ticket instead of an operators own.
Back in the day, the Teen Travel ticket was well publicised and was great for visiting friends in different parts of Tyne and Wear that I had met from School from the local area and then College from the wider area.
Nowadays, I didn't even know Network One did a Young Persons ticket. In some instances it is actually cheaper than an operator a own ticket, and in my view, better value. But there is virtually zero visibility.
I agree, that Teen Travel ticket was great value. As was the CAT ticket that gave those cheaper fares for a few years at school.
If the Teen Travel ticket didn't exist, then it may have encouraged me to get a moped license at 16.
Instead, it kept me on public transport for another couple of years and kept another vehicle off the road.