New Year sees new discounts for South Lakes schoolchildren

And the scheme will be extended, on a trial basis, to provide discounts for 16-18 year olds for the 2017 spring and summer terms.

Sharon Keith, Regional Director for Northern, said: “We understand, and are proud, that the Furness and Lakes lines are the most convenient and popular method for many schoolchildren in South Lakes.

“As such we wanted to introduce a scheme which not only recognised this, but also offered a significant discount - giving families something back for the continues use of our services.

“From January 2017 all schoolchildren under 16 who use the rail services to travel to a number of specified schools will be able to apply for a 40 per cent discount on their term-time season tickets.

“And, for the duration of the trial, children aged 16-18 travelling to the same schools will be able to apply for a 25 per cent discount on their term-time season tickets.”

Each school whose pupils are eligible for the discount have been notified by Northern and have received application forms to distribute to pupils ahead of the spring term which begins in January.

And those who apply for the discounts will not be restricted in when they can use their tickets.

Sharon added: “We want to encourage people to use the railway and all students who receive the discounted season tickets will be able to use them during evenings, weekends and other non-school days within the validity period.

“This is all part of our drive to deliver excellent customer service and we are interested in receiving feedback and suggestions from all rail users and surrounding communities.”

Northern is also inviting people to join its customer service forums where they will be able to talk about ideas or concerns and potentially help shape the future of the railway in their region.”

Details of how to get involved with the forums are available online at northernrailway.co.uk/wearelistening

NOTES

Schools which qualify for the discounted season tickets are:

Dowdales School (Dalton); The Queen Katherine School (Kendal); Kirbie Kendal School (Kendal); Central Lancaster High School (Lancaster); Lancaster Girls Grammar School (Lancaster); Lancaster Royal Grammar School (Lancaster); Ripley St Thomas C of E Academy (Lancaster); Ulverston Victoria High School (Ulverston)