Page 1483 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 6 April 2011
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It makes sense that transport accessibility is such a big issue for young people because of their inherent reliance on public transport to get around, to get to school or to their part-time job and even to social events. They invariably have limited economic capacity, that is, they do not have a lot of money to throw around, and many cannot, by law, drive themselves if they are under the age of 17.
To this end, the ACT government currently provides three student travel concessions: through ACTION’s public transport network, through the student transport scheme and of course through the special needs transport program. The student transport scheme gives free bus travel for eligible primary school, high school and college students during school terms. Eligibility relates to distance from school and possession of a pensioner concession card or a healthcare card by the student or parent/guardian. The special needs transport program supports eligible students with a disability to be transported to their closest special-needs setting.
Today I am seeking the ACT Legislative Assembly’s support to deal with another issue facing students in accessing public transport. As a former transport minister, I know that young people have raised issues of paying high, non-concessional fares when they travel interstate. This is because their student card is not recognised, particularly by interstate public transport systems.
A similar issue relating to our seniors and pensioners was addressed in the not so distant past, a group that also depended on our public transport system. In December 2008 the Council of Australian Governments signed the national agreement on certain concessions for pensioners and seniors cardholders. In part, the agreement provided for “the provision by State and Territory government of Designated Public Transport Concessions for all Australian Seniors Card Holders on public transport services, irrespective of the Seniors Card Holder’s state of residence”. This national partnership has been a great success, providing $650,000 over four years to the ACT for designated public transport concessions for over 42,000 seniors cardholders.
However, there is currently no reciprocal agreement between jurisdictions for student concession cardholders. This is simply not good enough and, in reality, is not too hard to achieve. A national student concession card would simply require an agreement with state and territory governments and with the commonwealth government to deliver this transport concession across every jurisdiction. Today, in National Youth Week, I am seeking the Legislative Assembly’s support to have the minister for community services raise the issue of a national student concession card at the next meeting of the community and disability services ministers conference.
The main purpose of a national student concession card would be to encourage students, particularly ACT students, to travel on public transport interstate. This would apply to all students—primary, secondary and tertiary students. This proposal supports the creation of child and youth friendly cities under the children and young people plans. It is in line with the ACT government’s commitment to community inclusion, as outlined in the Canberra plan, which presents a vision of “an inclusive community that supports its vulnerable and enables all to reach their potential”. It can also support interstate as well as international students to get around our town.
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