Bristol school children call for free bus travel all year
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."
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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