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.