Launched in November 2018, the Apprentice Travelcard already offers annual savings on bus travel of up to £420 and apprentices aged 19-24 can save as much as £680 a year on trains. Tony McDonough reports
Apprentices across the Liverpool city region can now use their Apprentice Travelcard can now get half-price train travel.
Launched in November 2018, the Apprentice Travelcard already offers annual savings on bus travel across the region of up to £420. Now apprentices aged 19-24 can save as much as £680 a year on train travel.
The discount scheme fulfils a key election pledge made by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram to remove one of the main barriers to entry for young people looking to enter vocational training – access to affordable transport.
To obtain an Apprentice Travelcard, applicants must be aged between 19-24 and living in one of the six districts of the Liverpool city region – Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral.
Cardholders can purchase weekly and monthly Railpass season tickets at 50% discount from all Merseyrail and staffed Northern stations. Depending on the travel zones covered by the pass, the ticket allows unlimited travel across the Northern, Wirral and City lines with all rail operators, including Merseyrail, Northern and Transpennine Express.
Clr Liam Robinson, transport portfolio holder for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said: “Making travel by public transport easier and more affordable for young people has always been a priority for us. Already young people in the Liverpool city region have access to great value rail fares, with Railpass tickets offering them unlimited travel across the Merseyrail network for less than £2.50 a day.
“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to extend the provision of reduced fares to young apprentices, right up to their 25th birthday.”
Chris Williams, 23, uses his Apprentice Travelcard to access half-price bus travel between his home in Garston and the City of Liverpool College where he is enrolled on a vocational training course. He is now looking to take advantage of discount available on rail travel.
He said: “The half price bus travel has made a massive difference. It makes being an apprentice a much more viable option since I don’t have to worry about money as much – it’s saved me a ton already. It’s really helped me out, and it’s great for me that it’s extending to the trains too.”
Application packs are available from training providers, further education colleges and at Merseytravel TravelCentres – further details are available at by clicking here.