ATOC

Train companies and Blunkett extend New Deal rail card
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date 17 May 2000
source ATOC
type Press release

Britain's passenger train companies and Secretary of State for Education and Employment, David Blunkett, will today sign an agreement which will extend the New Deal rail card for a further two years.

The New Deal rail card, which was the first national product offered since privatisation, is available to unemployed people between 18 to 24 years old who are part of the New Deal programme. The card provides New Dealers with 50 per cent discount off rail travel in England and Wales.

Signing the agreement on behalf of the train companies, Association of Train Operating Companies' chairman, Giles Fearnley, said: "In May 1998, Britain's train companies threw their support behind the Government's New Deal programme and we are pleased to be doing so for another two years.

"The train operators also share the government's belief that the future of Britain lies with it youth. By becoming involved in the New Deal, the train companies want to provide New Dealers with every opportunity to explore their career paths without being constrained by the cost of travelling."

Since its inception in May 1998, 37,000 young job seekers have been issued with the card of which 18,000 have been renewed. New Dealers have made more than 726,000 journeys on the rail network.

ENDS

For more information: ATOC press office 020 7904 3010

Notes to editors

Giles Fearnley and the Secretary of State will sign the agreement to extend the New Deal rail card at St Pancras Station (ticket office), 17 May 2000, 12.15. For more information, please Jay Merritt 020 7904 3010.

Railhub Archive ::: 2000-05-17 ATO-001