One of the points that both Guy McGregor and Graham Newman make when the demise of the Explore card comes up, was that it was unique and this uniqueness made it too much of a luxury to be affordable any longer. I have corrected these misleading statements on a number of occasions – and yet its surprising how they continue to repeat them. As do many of their colleagues.
And yet they are talking utter bunkum.
I’m assuming Cllrs McGregor and Newman have been able to cling to this fond belief by a determination to close their eyes and make no attempt whatsoever to discover whether they are actually speaking the truth or not.
Just so they cannot in all honesty continue to do so, I append details of just one of the numerous explore-card equivalents that can be found in more generous and forward-thinking parts of this country: the West Sussex 3-in-1 card:
Your 3in1 card
Get on board!
If you’re aged 5-19 and live and study in West Sussex, you can apply for a 3in1 card, which has already given over 37,000 young people the following amazing benefits:
- One – cheaper bus fares
Get reduced bus fares at all times of the day or week! - Two – proof of age
Citizencard proof of age to use in shops and other outlets – no more having to carry your passport or birth certificate around! - Three – loads of discounts
We have teamed up with many retailers to offer fantastic discounts to 3in1 cardholders!
The national economic situation did not see off West Sussex’s young persons (3-in-1) travel card. Far from it. It was clearly too important. Instead, the 3-in-1 card has started to do what I and others have suggested could be done with the Explore card: it instituted a £50 registration fee. This fee is remitted for those who might suffer from financial hardship.
Yet Cllr MacGregor has told Suffolk young people that there was no viable alternative to cutting the card completely and immediately.
It is as if he didn’t really to want to look at any other option.
Boy , don’t you wish you lived in West Sussex, eh?
