Issued by City of York Council
Jobseekers are being granted free bus travel in York throughout January in a new bid to help more people find employment in the New Year.
Bus operators including First, Arriva, Coastliner and EYMS are supporting the national scheme called Bus for Jobs by offering jobseekers free journeys for a month.
Jobseekers that have been unemployed between three months and one year will be eligible for the Bus for Jobs scheme, with a valid JobCentre Plus Travel Discount Card, although the scheme is particularly targeted at young people for whom unemployment rates remain high.
Cllr James Alexander, Leader of City of York Council, welcomes the new initiative which comes as the number of people claiming Jobs Seekers Allowance (JSA) in York is the lowest recorded since December 2008.
“This is a great initiative, providing a huge boost for jobseekers in York particularly given we’ve just seen the largest decrease in the number of 18-24 year olds claiming JSA, meaning we have the lowest youth unemployment in the region.
“We must continue to work with partners across the city – such as the Jobs Centre Plus – to provide our residents access to support like free bus journeys agencies in order to give them the best possible chance of gaining employment.”
Peter Taylor, Operations Manager for First in York, said:”I’m proud that First Bus is doing its bit to help jobseekers access employment opportunities in York and the surrounding areas. More people travel to work by bus than all other forms of public transport combined and this initiative simply underlines just how important the bus industry is to the future of both the local and UK economies.”
Nigel Featham, managing director for Arriva Yorkshire, said: “We’re delighted to be taking part in this initiative; free bus travel will enable jobseekers across Yorkshire to make the most of the transport network this January and hopefully widen their opportunities for work.”
The scheme will cover holders of a JobCentre Plus Travel Discount Card. Those who are eligible for the card, which is available through JobCentre Plus, include people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance or Income Support and actively engaged with a Jobcentre Plus adviser in returning to employment.
For more information visit www.busforus.co.uk
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