From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, December 12, 2007

STUDENTS who have purchased a Smartrider Card to travel to and from North Devon College or the Sixth Form at Bideford Community College or Ilfracombe Community College can now travel for FREE on any FIRST or STAGECOACH bus service after 6pm on college days and all day at weekends and during college holidays.

Students who purchased a Smartrider Card were previously able to enjoy discounted bus fares at those times, however Devon County Council has made arrangements with bus operators First and Stagecoach to offer these travel times for free.

Along with free bus travel at specific times, students who have purchased a Smartrider Card can also enjoy the existing benefits of prepaid travel to and from college on term days on any bus service operated by the designated bus operator.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "I'm very pleased that Devon County Council has been able to work with First and Stagecoach to provide this offer and hopefully it will encourage more young people to use public transport. This is the initial launch of the free travel scheme, and over the next year it is hoped to expand the roll out of the Devon Smartrider Card to all Post 16 establishments, such as Further Education Colleges as well as Sixth Forms across Devon."

Free travel is available now to students and they can enjoy these benefits until 20 July 2008. After this date, Devon County Council will review the Devon Smartrider Card benefits with First and Stagecoach.

For further information about the Devon Smartrider Card please visit http://www.devon.gov.uk/student-transport.htm or phone 01392 382069.

Notes for Editors:

Councillor Margaret Rogers 01297 680384.