Farron Launches Campaign For Subsidised Student Rail Travel As Fares Quadruple

Kendal Sixth Form students could see the cost of rail travel more than quadruple next year under plans slammed by South Lakes MP Tim Farron as a "tax on rural students". Tim has launched a campaign for subsidised rail passes for Sixth Form students.

Sixth Form students travelling by train to Queen Katherine School in Kendal had previously been eligible for a subsidised student rail pass on the Lakes Line. This meant that a yearly pass would cost around £250 for a student travelling from Windermere. Northern Rail has now decided to remove this option, leaving students to face the cost of a full adult season ticket, costing over £1000.

Tim has written to Northern Rail to call for this decision to be reversed, and has launched a petition to show public opposition to this move. To sign the petition calling for affordable rail passes for Sixth Form students, go to www.timfarron.co.uk/studenttraintickets

Tim said: "It is compulsory for students to be in education or training until the age of 18, yet students from rural areas will now face astronomical fees simply to attend Sixth Form. This is utterly wrong - it is a tax on rural students.

"I am extremely concerned that this decision by rail bosses will cut down the options available to young people. Students will have their choices dictated not by where they will be happiest or most successful, but instead by cost. Students that have been at schools in Kendal for many years and have established friendship groups face being priced out of Sixth Form.

"I am calling on Northern Rail to overturn their decision to get rid of cheap travel for post-16 students."