A NEW discounted travel scheme for youngsters on South Lakeland buses starts in January.

Five to 18-year-olds will be eligible to apply for a A2BNow ‘smart card’ which costs £5 and gives discounts on bus journeys around the Lakes and to Barrow, Keswick, Penrith, Kirkby Stephen or Lancaster.

With the card a typical journey will cost £1 for a single journey or £1.80 for a return.

Application forms will be available from early December in libraries across South Lakeland and via the county council website.

Cumbria County Councillor Geoff Cook, chair of South Lakeland Local Committee, said: “We’re committed to young people in South Lakeland and we want them to have the best opportunities to explore out-of-school activities.

“This subsidised bus scheme will allow them to travel for a very affordable low cost and I hope that as many young people as possible take full advantage.

"This initiative will run until March 2012 and will be reviewed throughout.

“As a listening council we want to be sure that it delivers a good service as well as providing good value for money."

The scheme will be available throughout the day, except on schooldays before 9.30am or between 3pm to 5pm.