Up-to-date travel information could be one text away thanks to a new transport initiative launched by Teignbridge Council last week.
The current Teignbridge Youth Council identified transport as being one of the biggest issues for young people and decided to do something about it. They found that young people in the area did not always know what transport was available and how to find out about it. Three youth councillors took on the job of designing a leaflet, written especially for young people, jam-packed with useful travel information.
They also had the idea of having a pocket-sized card with a mobile phone number that can be used to get bus information text direct to your phone.
Youth councillors Florence Morgan-Richards, Cody Way and Graeme Hammond were responsible for the design of the leaflet and cards. Last week, the transport leaflet and card were launched at a youth council event attended by representatives from both Stagecoach and Country Bus, in addition to local councillors.
'This year the youth council has been highly pro-active and the launch of the transport leaflet will hopefully benefit many young people across the district,' said Cllr David Howe, Teignbridge Council spokesman for youth and partnerships.
'At a time when free transport has been introduced for the elderly, the efforts of the youth council will help to focus on the need for cheaper sustainable transport for the younger generation.'
The youth council has also written to the Prime Minister, Teignbridge MP Richard Younger-Ross and to local councillors highlighting the lack of appropriate transport and the cost of travelling. The leaflets and cards will be available in all secondary schools in the area, Teignbridge Council office, tourist information centres and from local bus companies.