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XR Youth demands free and fair buses for young people in Bristol
Extinction Rebellion Youth Bristol is demanding free and fair buses in Bristol.
Following the blockage to an Airport Flyer bus earlier in December, the activist group has been spray painting bus stops across the city with a clear demand: bus services must be improved for everyone.
XR Youth spokesperson Torin Menzies highlighted the positive response from Bristolians on the campaign so far.
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“Most people we’ve spoken to agree with our demands, and endorsement of them from various organisations, including the Transport Action Network, TRESA, B&NES National Education Union and Transition Network Bristol,” Menzies said.
On what fair bus services looks like, the 17-year-old explained: “We define it as listening to local communities (through public forums and consultations) to identify improvements to bus routes that would best serve those communities – this includes franchising of the network as we are currently campaigning for.”
According to Menzies, these demands are supported by both data and real-life experiences.
Scotland was the first country in the UK to offer free travel for young people under 22. The policy adopted in January has already impacted over half a million young people, who have enjoyed over 34 million journeys, according the Scottish Greens.
“There is evidence that elimination of bus fares do incentivise greater usage. Seventy three per cent of under-21s who were given free bus travel in Scotland said they would use them more frequently,” Menzies said.
In the case of Bristol, Menzies explained that the activist group, Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate, conducted an online survey in 2020 which showed that 90 per cent of those under-21s in the city would use the buses more if they were free.
The activist group want to see buses made free for young people – photo: Simon Holliday
To XR Youth, transport is crucial for the city in order to meet the carbon neutrality target by 2030.
“We need to drastically cut emissions across the board. Transport accounts for nearly a third of all emissions, and buses emit far less rider than cars do,” explained Menzies.
With the Clean Air Zone coming into effect in November, the city needs effective, sustainable, and affordable transport solutions, he argued, saying “it’s not just about the effect on the climate, free buses would also help reduce air pollution (which Bristol has illegal levels of), help mitigate the cost of living crisis, and create a more equal access to further education for your people in Bristol”.
To sign XR Youth’s petition, visit: www.change.org/p/free-and-fair-buses-for-bristol-and-west
This piece of independent journalism is supported by NatWest and the Bristol24/7 public and business membership
Main photo: Ellie Pipe
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