Free bus travel for Hampshire job hunters (From Daily Echo)
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Free bus travel for Hampshire job hunters
12:30pm Wednesday 12th December 2012 in News By Ed Stilliard, Senior Reporter
A Bluestar bus.
JOBSEEKERS will be given free public transport on some Hampshire bus operators in January.
Go Ahead Group-owned companies Bluestar and Southern Vectis are taking part in the scheme to help jobseekers in the county find employment.
Anyone who has been unemployed for between three months and one year will be eligible, although the scheme is particularly targeted at young people.
The scheme will cover holders of a JobCentre Plus Travel Discount Card.
Those who are eligible for the card – available through JobCentre Plus – include people claiming jobseekers’ allowance, incapacity benefit, employment and support allowance or income support and actively engaged with a Jobcentre Plus adviser in returning to employment.
Andrew Wickham, managing director for the Go Ahead Group-owned bus companies in the south, said that Bluestar, Southern Vectis and Wilts & Dorset were delighted to participate in the scheme devised by Greener Journeys – the campaign to promote sustainable travel.
“Anyone using a valid JobCentre Plus Travel Discount Card will be welcome to travel on our extensive network of services free of charge.
“They will need to present their card to the driver, and carry it on them when making journeys on participating bus routes.”
Full details of the scheme are available at busforus.co.uk.
Comments(28)
jade25
says...
1:04pm Wed 12 Dec 12
Saintlygirl
says...
1:10pm Wed 12 Dec 12
southy
says...
1:40pm Wed 12 Dec 12
12-12-12
bernard7
says...
2:01pm Wed 12 Dec 12
Southy what does 12-12-12 have to do with anything?
southy
says...
2:12pm Wed 12 Dec 12
bernard7 wrote:nothing its just one of those things that the news media picks up on and says things like its once in a life time.
I hope they are cutting the amount they get for jobseekers then as they no longer need to pay for transport.
Southy what does 12-12-12 have to do with anything?
Sovietobserver
says...
2:59pm Wed 12 Dec 12
southy wrote:-And next Thursday Southy, 20-12-2012
I am surprise that the Echo as not pick up on todays date.
12-12-12
Beer Monster
says...
3:46pm Wed 12 Dec 12
jade25 wrote:Jobseekers can already reclaim money spent on travelling to interviews, I know I did when I went for the job I have had for the past year and that was 500 miles (pun intended) to Scotland...
Oh great! More of us tax payers money going towards 'the young people' not wanting to work and now they are even getting free transport... I thought their monthly benefits are for transport to get to interviews anyway? Talk about making it more and more easy for them!
I'd go as far as saying this idea will help reduce the amount of bureaucracy involved in the process, effectively saving tax payers money.
Queen Victoria
says...
3:50pm Wed 12 Dec 12
southy wrote:leave him alone he makes me smile most days.
bernard7 wrote:nothing its just one of those things that the news media picks up on and says things like its once in a life time.
I hope they are cutting the amount they get for jobseekers then as they no longer need to pay for transport.
Southy what does 12-12-12 have to do with anything?
Ginger_cyclist
says...
3:59pm Wed 12 Dec 12
Beer Monster wrote:Would help if the job center actually told you these things but oh well, this is good, means if my bike breaks down I can still get around and it means I don't have to ride to interviews or waste money if it ends up not resulting in a job.
jade25 wrote:Jobseekers can already reclaim money spent on travelling to interviews, I know I did when I went for the job I have had for the past year and that was 500 miles (pun intended) to Scotland...
Oh great! More of us tax payers money going towards 'the young people' not wanting to work and now they are even getting free transport... I thought their monthly benefits are for transport to get to interviews anyway? Talk about making it more and more easy for them!
I'd go as far as saying this idea will help reduce the amount of bureaucracy involved in the process, effectively saving tax payers money.
mack chinnon
says...
4:35pm Wed 12 Dec 12
freemantlegirl2
says...
4:46pm Wed 12 Dec 12
jade25 wrote:Ermm another person jumping to conclusions.... IF jobseekers aren't 'wanting' to look for work they won't be going on the bus will they. Have you ever tried living on JSA and getting to interviews, I think you'll find it's quite expensive. This is also promoting sustainable transport. Why should genuine jobhunters lose out jsut because you've got your knickers in a twist. Honestly, our society has got so uncaring and is believing all the hype the government have spouted about 'scroungers' - hello scroungers don't look for work do they!!
Oh great! More of us tax payers money going towards 'the young people' not wanting to work and now they are even getting free transport... I thought their monthly benefits are for transport to get to interviews anyway? Talk about making it more and more easy for them!
freemantlegirl2
says...
4:50pm Wed 12 Dec 12
Beer Monster wrote:An extremely good point, and from someone who actually knows what they're talking about for a change!
jade25 wrote:Jobseekers can already reclaim money spent on travelling to interviews, I know I did when I went for the job I have had for the past year and that was 500 miles (pun intended) to Scotland...
Oh great! More of us tax payers money going towards 'the young people' not wanting to work and now they are even getting free transport... I thought their monthly benefits are for transport to get to interviews anyway? Talk about making it more and more easy for them!
I'd go as far as saying this idea will help reduce the amount of bureaucracy involved in the process, effectively saving tax payers money.
100%HANTSBOY
says...
5:34pm Wed 12 Dec 12
Ginger_cyclist wrote:I wouldn't hire a candidate who was wearing Lycra and Hi-Viz clothing to an interview anyway!
Beer Monster wrote:Would help if the job center actually told you these things but oh well, this is good, means if my bike breaks down I can still get around and it means I don't have to ride to interviews or waste money if it ends up not resulting in a job.
jade25 wrote:Jobseekers can already reclaim money spent on travelling to interviews, I know I did when I went for the job I have had for the past year and that was 500 miles (pun intended) to Scotland...
Oh great! More of us tax payers money going towards 'the young people' not wanting to work and now they are even getting free transport... I thought their monthly benefits are for transport to get to interviews anyway? Talk about making it more and more easy for them!
I'd go as far as saying this idea will help reduce the amount of bureaucracy involved in the process, effectively saving tax payers money.
sophijldh
says...
5:36pm Wed 12 Dec 12
Shoong
says...
5:54pm Wed 12 Dec 12
southy wrote:Is this jangling around your little brain like the Mayan calender thing or the Hobi Indians? Weird.
bernard7 wrote:nothing its just one of those things that the news media picks up on and says things like its once in a life time.
I hope they are cutting the amount they get for jobseekers then as they no longer need to pay for transport.
Southy what does 12-12-12 have to do with anything?
Ginger_cyclist
says...
6:35pm Wed 12 Dec 12
100%HANTSBOY wrote:Good thing I don't wear lycra or hi-vis then, I'd also rather not turn up to an interview smelling like a sauna so free bus travel is a good thing.
Ginger_cyclist wrote:I wouldn't hire a candidate who was wearing Lycra and Hi-Viz clothing to an interview anyway!
Beer Monster wrote:Would help if the job center actually told you these things but oh well, this is good, means if my bike breaks down I can still get around and it means I don't have to ride to interviews or waste money if it ends up not resulting in a job.
jade25 wrote:Jobseekers can already reclaim money spent on travelling to interviews, I know I did when I went for the job I have had for the past year and that was 500 miles (pun intended) to Scotland...
Oh great! More of us tax payers money going towards 'the young people' not wanting to work and now they are even getting free transport... I thought their monthly benefits are for transport to get to interviews anyway? Talk about making it more and more easy for them!
I'd go as far as saying this idea will help reduce the amount of bureaucracy involved in the process, effectively saving tax payers money.
100%HANTSBOY
says...
6:57pm Wed 12 Dec 12
Ginger_cyclist wrote:But as your original post suggests,you will use the free service to " get around "
100%HANTSBOY wrote:Good thing I don't wear lycra or hi-vis then, I'd also rather not turn up to an interview smelling like a sauna so free bus travel is a good thing.
Ginger_cyclist wrote:I wouldn't hire a candidate who was wearing Lycra and Hi-Viz clothing to an interview anyway!
Beer Monster wrote:Would help if the job center actually told you these things but oh well, this is good, means if my bike breaks down I can still get around and it means I don't have to ride to interviews or waste money if it ends up not resulting in a job.
jade25 wrote:Jobseekers can already reclaim money spent on travelling to interviews, I know I did when I went for the job I have had for the past year and that was 500 miles (pun intended) to Scotland...
Oh great! More of us tax payers money going towards 'the young people' not wanting to work and now they are even getting free transport... I thought their monthly benefits are for transport to get to interviews anyway? Talk about making it more and more easy for them!
I'd go as far as saying this idea will help reduce the amount of bureaucracy involved in the process, effectively saving tax payers money.
Surely that's not the reason free travel is being introduced? It's to attend job interviews.
IronLady2010
says...
7:02pm Wed 12 Dec 12
I will add though, that I hope it is monitored and those who make false applications for jobs just to be seen searching have their passes revoked.
All in all a great idea for those struggling to find jobs due to financial strains.
dogbruce
says...
7:11pm Wed 12 Dec 12
IronLady2010
says...
7:15pm Wed 12 Dec 12
dogbruce wrote:Very true:
Not just just Blue Star all local Bus companies are providing free travel through january for the Job Seekers ,But the echo only like to promote the Beastleigh Company
A group of leading bus operators:
Arriva, Blackpool Transport, Cardiff Bus, First, Go-Ahead, Kinchbus, National Express, Network Warrington, Stagecoach and Trent Barton
Are offering FREE travel to unemployed people on many of their bus services in England, Scotland and Wales for one month – from 1st to 31st January 2013.
Ginger_cyclist
says...
7:43pm Wed 12 Dec 12
100%HANTSBOY wrote:If you look closer you'll see I actually said "If my bike breaks down I can get around" because it's not just about attending interviews as not all jobs are advertised on the job center site or in the papers, sometimes you actually have to approach potential employers, so using it to get around then becomes a valid thing to do.
Ginger_cyclist wrote:But as your original post suggests,you will use the free service to " get around "
100%HANTSBOY wrote:Good thing I don't wear lycra or hi-vis then, I'd also rather not turn up to an interview smelling like a sauna so free bus travel is a good thing.
Ginger_cyclist wrote:I wouldn't hire a candidate who was wearing Lycra and Hi-Viz clothing to an interview anyway!
Beer Monster wrote:Would help if the job center actually told you these things but oh well, this is good, means if my bike breaks down I can still get around and it means I don't have to ride to interviews or waste money if it ends up not resulting in a job.
jade25 wrote:Jobseekers can already reclaim money spent on travelling to interviews, I know I did when I went for the job I have had for the past year and that was 500 miles (pun intended) to Scotland...
Oh great! More of us tax payers money going towards 'the young people' not wanting to work and now they are even getting free transport... I thought their monthly benefits are for transport to get to interviews anyway? Talk about making it more and more easy for them!
I'd go as far as saying this idea will help reduce the amount of bureaucracy involved in the process, effectively saving tax payers money.
Surely that's not the reason free travel is being introduced? It's to attend job interviews.
solomum
says...
8:25pm Wed 12 Dec 12
Beer Monster wrote:No, you are wrong. Jobseekers used to be able to claim for transport to job centre appointments and interviews but this was stopped over a year ago. When I was job hunting, transport costs were one of the biggest barriers. 3 interviews a week cost me nearly £20 in bus fares. Thank goodness I found work fairly quickly. This is a much needed scheme, though as some people have pointed out, it is likely to be open to abuse. Perhaps there could be something set up whereby the jobcentre can check the dates that the tickets were used and compare that against actual interviews attended.
jade25 wrote:Jobseekers can already reclaim money spent on travelling to interviews, I know I did when I went for the job I have had for the past year and that was 500 miles (pun intended) to Scotland...
Oh great! More of us tax payers money going towards 'the young people' not wanting to work and now they are even getting free transport... I thought their monthly benefits are for transport to get to interviews anyway? Talk about making it more and more easy for them!
I'd go as far as saying this idea will help reduce the amount of bureaucracy involved in the process, effectively saving tax payers money.
IronLady2010
says...
8:29pm Wed 12 Dec 12
solomum wrote:You should have added how much you got in Jobseekers allowance. £20 travel to job interviews would potentially mean you went without food to pay for the travel.
Beer Monster wrote:No, you are wrong. Jobseekers used to be able to claim for transport to job centre appointments and interviews but this was stopped over a year ago. When I was job hunting, transport costs were one of the biggest barriers. 3 interviews a week cost me nearly £20 in bus fares. Thank goodness I found work fairly quickly. This is a much needed scheme, though as some people have pointed out, it is likely to be open to abuse. Perhaps there could be something set up whereby the jobcentre can check the dates that the tickets were used and compare that against actual interviews attended.
jade25 wrote:Jobseekers can already reclaim money spent on travelling to interviews, I know I did when I went for the job I have had for the past year and that was 500 miles (pun intended) to Scotland...
Oh great! More of us tax payers money going towards 'the young people' not wanting to work and now they are even getting free transport... I thought their monthly benefits are for transport to get to interviews anyway? Talk about making it more and more easy for them!
I'd go as far as saying this idea will help reduce the amount of bureaucracy involved in the process, effectively saving tax payers money.
Sometimes we tar all people as scroungers, but as you have pointed out, travelling to interviews on buses and trains isn't cheap when you get such little job seekers allowance.
Sovietobserver
says...
8:49pm Wed 12 Dec 12
Ginger_cyclist
says...
9:24pm Wed 12 Dec 12
Sovietobserver wrote:I don't, if I have to use the bus I tend to sit on the seats over the rear wheels.
I hope they will have designated seats.
Beer Monster
says...
12:13pm Thu 13 Dec 12
solomum wrote:Really? Apologies if so, they must have stopped the scheme at the same time that I started the job. As you say, it makes this new scheme even more valuable to those looking for work.
Beer Monster wrote:No, you are wrong. Jobseekers used to be able to claim for transport to job centre appointments and interviews but this was stopped over a year ago. When I was job hunting, transport costs were one of the biggest barriers. 3 interviews a week cost me nearly £20 in bus fares. Thank goodness I found work fairly quickly. This is a much needed scheme, though as some people have pointed out, it is likely to be open to abuse. Perhaps there could be something set up whereby the jobcentre can check the dates that the tickets were used and compare that against actual interviews attended.
jade25 wrote:Jobseekers can already reclaim money spent on travelling to interviews, I know I did when I went for the job I have had for the past year and that was 500 miles (pun intended) to Scotland...
Oh great! More of us tax payers money going towards 'the young people' not wanting to work and now they are even getting free transport... I thought their monthly benefits are for transport to get to interviews anyway? Talk about making it more and more easy for them!
I'd go as far as saying this idea will help reduce the amount of bureaucracy involved in the process, effectively saving tax payers money.
The article mentions a JobCentre Plus Travel Discount Card, which they will be required to present to the driver - perhaps this will be swiped at the beginning and end of the journeys?
Also, the job centre called my future employers to verify my attendance, presumably they would do the same again?
100%HANTSBOY
says...
8:14pm Thu 13 Dec 12
Ginger_cyclist wrote:Yeah,fairs fair,thought you were suggesting using the facility for leisure purposes.
100%HANTSBOY wrote:If you look closer you'll see I actually said "If my bike breaks down I can get around" because it's not just about attending interviews as not all jobs are advertised on the job center site or in the papers, sometimes you actually have to approach potential employers, so using it to get around then becomes a valid thing to do.
Ginger_cyclist wrote:But as your original post suggests,you will use the free service to " get around "
100%HANTSBOY wrote:Good thing I don't wear lycra or hi-vis then, I'd also rather not turn up to an interview smelling like a sauna so free bus travel is a good thing.
Ginger_cyclist wrote:I wouldn't hire a candidate who was wearing Lycra and Hi-Viz clothing to an interview anyway!
Beer Monster wrote:Would help if the job center actually told you these things but oh well, this is good, means if my bike breaks down I can still get around and it means I don't have to ride to interviews or waste money if it ends up not resulting in a job.
jade25 wrote:Jobseekers can already reclaim money spent on travelling to interviews, I know I did when I went for the job I have had for the past year and that was 500 miles (pun intended) to Scotland...
Oh great! More of us tax payers money going towards 'the young people' not wanting to work and now they are even getting free transport... I thought their monthly benefits are for transport to get to interviews anyway? Talk about making it more and more easy for them!
I'd go as far as saying this idea will help reduce the amount of bureaucracy involved in the process, effectively saving tax payers money.
Surely that's not the reason free travel is being introduced? It's to attend job interviews.
On a slightly different angle,is there any schemes in place for Jobseekers to get free/subsidised driving lessons?,as I know our company will always favour a driver to a non-driver. Obviously not all situations need a drivers license,but surely it would help in many cases...just asking thats all.
rich the stitch says...
12:40pm Wed 12 Dec 12