YOUNG people in the Newent area have been given ‘a lift’ this summer with two local transport groups offering free travel to under 16s.

In response to the rising cost of living, local groups Newent Community Transport (NCT) and Buses4Us have teamed up to offer free travel for children throughout August, across four services that link Newent and the surrounding areas with Ledbury and Gloucester.

The groups say the initiative will give young people who live in villages like Dymock, Highleadon, Gorsley and Tibberton the opportunity to travel to Newent and beyond to meet friends for free, with the cost of living crisis “biting hard” for families.

NCT Manager Lyndon Biddle explained: “Anyone under 16 will be able to travel free on all of our scheduled services this summer.

“We are aware of how tough things are for many families at the moment, and how expensive school holidays can be, so we wanted to do what we could to help.” 

The services are operated by NCT, which is run by Sheppard House Health and Social Care, also known as Newent Association for the Disabled.

Community action group Buses4Us was setup in response to the loss of services between north west Gloucestershire and south Herefordshire earlier this year.

Tim Rosser of Buses4Us said: “We’re delighted to be able to work with Newent Community Transport on the project.

“Many people think that Community Transport is just for older people, but it’s not, it’s for anyone who doesn’t drive or have access to a car. Which of course is all our under-16’s.

“We’re very aware that in rural communities like ours young people can get to feel quite isolated, not seeing their school friends for weeks at a time during the holidays.

“We hope that this scheme will go some way to fighting that isolation, giving them the freedom and independence to jump on the bus and meet up, without having to ask parents for a lift, or money.”

Lyndon added: “Children and young people are of course welcome to bring a well behaved adult with them on the bus, if they wish, but we will have to charge adults our normal fares.”

For more information about the services, go to www.sheppardhouse.co.uk/#position, or contact NCT on 01531 821227.

Locals are also invited to find out more about the initiative at the Newent Community Café open day this Saturday (August 6).