Free bus travel for job hunters during January

UNEMPLOYED people in Carlton and across Nottinghamshire will be entitled to free bus travel across the county in January.

'Bus for Jobs' is a national initiative whereby leading bus companies will allow job seekers — especially the young — to use their routes free of charge for a month.

The initiative is available to people who have been unemployed for between three months and one year.

 The deal is available from Tuesday, January 1 to Thursday, January 31, for all holders of a JobCentre Plus travel discount card.

In Nottinghamshire the scheme is being supported by local operators Stagecoach, Trent Barton, NCT, Marshalls and County Council-supported bus routes across the county.

Nationally, bus travel is the most popular mode of transport used by commuters with 5.2 billion bus journeys every year. In Nottinghamshire more than 35 million bus journeys are taken each year.

Councillor Richard Jackson, chairman of the County Council's transport and highways committee, said:

"This initiative is a helpful New Year boost to people searching for jobs."  "This is help of the most practical kind and in these difficult economic times will give a real helping hand to job hunters as they travel around looking for jobs, attending interviews or going on training courses to help them find work.

"The County Council is working with local bus operators to the support the scheme right across the county."

Gary Nolan, managing director of Stagecoach, added:

 "The bus is Britain's most important mode of public transport. It is how millions of people across the UK including Nottinghamshire access employment, education and training every day.

"Bus for Jobs could make the vital difference for those who are struggling to get that first job or training place. In particular, I hope we can help more of the young people in our local communities make a better start in life."

 Details of the scheme are available atwww.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/busforjobs