STUDENTS travelling in Leicester will benefit from cheaper and more flexible bus travel thanks to the launch of new all-operator student tickets across the Leicester Buses network.
The new Flexi student tickets, available from 1 August, allow unlimited travel on participating Leicester Buses services, giving students the freedom to use whichever bus operator best suits their journey without paying extra.
The range includes a four-week ticket costing £68 and an annual ticket costing £575. The annual pass is £37 cheaper than last year's equivalent ticket. Student tickets that are only valid for one bus operator will no longer be available as Leicester Buses continues its move towards a simpler "One network, one ticket" approach.
The student tickets are being introduced following the success of discounted flexi fares for adults, children and families earlier this year, and form part of wider efforts to make public transport easier to use and better value for passengers across the city.
Leicester Buses is a partnership between Leicester City Council and local bus operators that is working to create a more integrated network through shared ticketing, co-ordinated timetables, improved passenger information and investment in cleaner vehicles and infrastructure. It is one of the UK's largest enhanced bus partnerships, bringing together the city council and local operators to provide a more joined-up public transport network.
Assistant city mayor for environment and transport, Councillor Geoff Whittle, said: "We want bus travel in Leicester to be simple, affordable and accessible for everyone. These new student tickets mean young people can travel across the network using a single ticket, regardless of which participating operator they use. It removes unnecessary complexity, gives students greater flexibility and helps keep travel costs down.
"Alongside our discounted fares for adults, children and families, this is another important step towards delivering a bus network that is easier to understand and offers excellent value for passengers."
The partnership is also continuing to offer its £6.40 Flexi Family ticket during the school holidays, providing unlimited travel for up to two adults and three children across participating services. The discounted ticket offers savings of around 20% and is designed to help make family days out more affordable.
In addition, children can travel free on participating Leicester Buses services throughout August as part of the UK Government's Great British Summer Savings initiative.
Student Flexi tickets are available through participating operators' websites. For full details of ticket options and where to buy, visit www.leicesterbuses.co.uk