High Peak MP Robert Largan is backing calls for cheaper bus passes for 16-18 year olds.

His call comes after more than 800 residents took to Facebook to demand cheaper travel for students.

At present bus passes called ‘OUR’ are available for college students in Greater Manchester for only £10 for two years. Students also have the chance to purchase a weekly mega rider ticket which equates to £20 a week.

But for those living just across the border in Glossop and High Peak the cost is £150 for the same bus pass. 

Parents took to social media to express their feelings on the matter. Glossop mum Vickie Sharpe is leading calls for a change, saying her son and many others are penalised by the present system. Vickie told the Chronicle, “ this obviously has a financial effect on so many families especially during the cost of living crisis and as well as affecting children’s education, it also has an impact on their personal life as they’re teengers. If they want a day out anywhere apart from Glossop, it’s going to cost them too much.” 

As Vickie’s initial facebook post got so much interaction from the local community, it also attracted a response from MP High Peak Robert Largan. In a statement he said, 

"Every September, lots of local people get in touch with me about Derbyshire residents not being eligible for Greater Manchester travel passes, such as the Our Pass for 16-18 year olds.

I know how frustrating it is that High Peak residents aren’t eligible for these travel passes, especially for those who attend sixth-form college over the border in Greater Manchester.

This is an issue I have raised frequently with both Transport for Greater Manchester and Derbyshire County Council over the last few years.

I’ve been trying to find a way to get both Derbyshire and Greater Manchester to reach some sort of funding agreement where High Peak residents would be eligible for these travel passes.

Such an agreement would be in the interests of both areas, as would an agreement to extend the Greater Manchester rail ticket subsidies to more High Peak stations too.

Now that the Government is giving Derbyshire new devolution powers, including on areas of transport, I’m hoping this will put the negotiations on a more even footing and both local authorities can find a way to work together on this.

I know an extension of these travel passes would make a big difference to a lot of families.

I’ll continue to try and work with anyone, on a cross-party basis, to make progress on this."

Going forward, parents are appealing for Glossop residents to be eligible for the OUR bus pass especially as the new school year begins with many students travelling into Tameside and Stockport for colleges. Vickie added, “We’re just trying to get our area to be included in the pass, we’re included in Tameside’s NHS integrated care system so we should be included for travel, especially as it’s for the students sake.”