Students call for better transport options

Law student Liam Lennon-Swales says bus services are "unreliable"

A student has said a lack of rural buses is putting "huge pressure" on his studies and his mental health.

Liam Lennon-Swales catches a college bus at 07:25 each day for the 40 mile (64km) journey from his home in Bedale to York College.

If he misses the college bus, he has to catch two buses and a train which he said were "unreliable".

His comments came as the government confirmed York and North Yorkshire would receive £12.5m to support bus services.

Mr Lennon-Swales hopes to go to Cambridge University and said poor transport options have a real impact on his studies.

"Those two buses are unreliable. They're always late. I missed the college bus the other day through fatigue. It is a lot of pressure and it affects your ability to work and concentrate."

He said he had "high hopes" for his future and does not want to miss time studying in college because of unreliable transport.

"Every time I miss a day my sharpness drops in class and I have to catch up. I try my best from home but it's not the same."

York College student Emily Goddard says she is learning to drive as it feels like the only option

Fellow student Emily Goddard lives in Goole and it takes her two hours on the college bus to make the 20-mile (30 km) journey to York each day.

"If I want to leave early, it's either two buses and a train or three buses to get back to Goole.

"It is really frustrating. I'm learning to drive because it feels like the only option."

She also has an elderly grandmother who lives in Fulford on the outskirts of York.

A 10-minute drive from college takes her an hour by bus.

"I have to get a bus all the way into town, then walk 10 minutes across town, then get another bus to Fulford."

Transport secretary Louise Haigh said the funding would help protect rural servcies

Both students would like to see some of the investment spent on better transport.

"I'd introduce a different way for students to get to school in an affordable and prompt way, that's reasonable for the community and the state to accept," Mr Lennon-Swales said.

Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh said she hoped the £12.5m earmarked for York and North Yorkshire would help.

"The way we have allocated the funding formula really steps in to protect rural bus routes, because we have allocated it fairly, on population size, on levels of deprivation, and on bus mileage in those areas."

She said it would mean rural areas would see their services protected and would also see growth in services.

"We want to encourage people onto the bus and see more people using the bus as a valid option," she added.

The money is part of a nationwide £1bn bus investment fund, of which £85m will be spent in Yorkshire.

However, it comes alongside a rise, from £2 to £3, in the bus fare cap in January.

York and North Yorkshire's mayor David Skaith said he welcomed the funding which he said would help them make vital improvements.

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