A photo-card scheme giving apprentices and trainees under-19 half price travel on the region’s bus, train and tram network has been launched by Metro Mayor Andy Street.
The scheme is on a trial basis for 12 months and underpins a pledge by the Mayor to support young people in finding employment and training. 
The move by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) will see an extra 31,000 young people across the metropolitan area enjoy the 50% discount.
The half-price deal will now apply to all 105,000 West Midlands youngsters in that age bracket, 74,000 of which are in full-time education.
Previously, only those aged 16-18 and in full-time education were eligible for half-price travel.
Mr Street said: “The West Midlands Combined Authority felt there was a gap in the provision of help with travel for apprentices and trainees, which is why we have made this available.
“Apprentices tend to be on very low incomes so it’s only right they have the same support as people in further education.”
It will be implemented by the WMCA’s transport arm, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) which will pay bus and tram companies a subsidy to contribute towards the cost of the discount.
For more details go to https://www.networkwestmidlands.com/16-18
For video of Andy Street talking about the scheme go to https://youtu.be/9xn-BDT_mXM
