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Children campaign for year-round free bus travel

Cheryl Dennis
BBC News, Bristol
Sophia Allsopp
Reporting fromBBC News, West of England
BBC Helen Godwin, the West of England Mayor, is seated smiling with a group of schoolchildren in a brightly lit classroom. The children are gathered around a table, some leaning in with interest. The setting reflects a typical primary school environment, with colourful posters and school supplies in the background.BBC
West of England Mayor Helen Godwin shares a moment with Room 13 pupils during a visit to their Hareclive classroom.

Children in one area of Bristol are calling for year-round free bus travel after it was announced there would be not be a charge for summer travel for them.

The West of England Mayor has agreed to fund trips for under 16s during school holidays but a young campaign group from Hartcliffe says that's not enough.

The children are planning how they'll use their free bus travel this summer. Nine-year-old Isabel says she'd like to go to the beach and nine-year-old Tommy would like to see Weston Pier.

Honey, who's 10, said: "I would like to go see a river and some ducks or something that gets me and my family out for a bit."

It was six years ago that children from Room 13, an independent artists' studio based at Hareclive Primary, began their campaign. They visited Helen Godwin — a city councillor at the time — to make their case.

She's since become West of England Mayor and has given free bus travel for under 16s during the six-week holiday.

In response to their request for year-round free travel she said: "Obviously if I could I would.

"At the minute it's not something that is feasible to do but I can guarantee that I will always be listening to young people."

Mackenzie Kane, a young adult, is sitting and looking directly at the camera. Behind him is a wall filled with colourful artwork, including a large hand-painted sign that reads “BUS STOP” in bold letters, reflecting the group’s campaign theme.
Former Room 13 pupil Mackenzie Kane reflects on the campaign's progress new voices continuing the call for change

The children of the original campaign are all grown up now but it's still a victory.

Former pupil of Room 13, Mackenzie Kane, said: "I mainly want them to explore the centre and the museums. A lot of Bristol's major museums are free. Getting to them is now free. Realistically the only thing getting in their way is the effort now."

Ingrid Skells, Development Worker at Room 13, said: "Of course there are going to be other factors but the fact that they can get around their city and access everything, that gives children a huge amount that they're not getting in some parts of this city."

Eight-year-old Garima added: "I would love to go somewhere that I've never been before and explore Bristol."

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