Smart stands up for low prices on public transport

An intervention from Hazel Grove Parliamentary Candidate Lisa Smart at the Liberal Democrat Conference in Bournemouth has delivered a commitment from the party to fairer and lower prices for public transport.

The call for the UK to investigate free public transport models, such as those in Luxembourg, Tallinn and Zlin, and to establish low cost annual passes for all public transport either in a region or nationally, was overwhelmingly adopted by the Conference.

Putting forward her proposals, Lisa Smart said: “Let’s look to what’s worked elsewhere. Let’s look to places like Tallinn or Zlin; let’s look at the 49 Euro ticketing across Germany, to see what happens when either free or very low cost one-off ticket options are offered to passengers in cities across the world. We see numbers of passengers going up.”

The motion also confirmed the a series of measures to support public transport, including investing in infrastructure projects such as electrification and accessibility – including a commitment to oppose the closure of ticket offices – and keep ticket prices low, with reduced fairs for those in education, but also a young person’s Buscard, and a freeze of train fares.

Lisa continued: “At the moment free ticketing in our country is offered to pensioners, to young people – this is talking about working age people. Where ticketing options are easier, we see passenger numbers go up. We see congestion coming down, we see improved air quality, reduced demand for parking, and we see a really positive impact on the local economy and bold action on climate change.

“Free or low cost public transport is something that we must support to see the thriving cities that we need.”