Ben speaks out on ‘fair’ public transport
Campaigning young politician Ben Wesson delivered the keynote speech to the UK Youth Parliament’s Fares Fair Transport Conference in London.
North Leamington School pupil Ben, who campaigned extensively over the past year as a Member of Youth Parliament (MYP), is continuing his work this year as a deputy MYP and recently attended the conference to debate the public transport agenda.
The conference was attended by young people, transport service providers and representatives of local and central government including Bronwyn Hill - Director General of City and Regions Network for the Department of Transport.
During his speech Ben outlined the social, environmental and financial benefits of introducing concessionary transport for young people and exhorted both the public service and private industry representatives to consult with young people locally and nationally in order to achieve the best transport service possible.
Ben then sat on a Q&A panel with other members of Youth Parliament from around the country, and received many positive comments from delegates who were impressed with the progress that young people have been making in this area.
The Members of Youth Parliament are currently awaiting a decision on whether the county council will fund a transport consultant to examine the viability of a concessionary travel scheme in Warwickshire.
Ben, who lives in Warwick, said: "From an environmental perspective, if we are to get the next generation to use their cars less, we need to be getting them to use public transport more frequently now"
"We’re really grateful to our council for listening to us, and for the young people at the conference, I would urge you to thank your local authorities for all the work they have already put in."