Hertfordshire Youth Parliament members start petition (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Hertfordshire Youth Parliament members start petition

3:27pm Wednesday 3rd June 2009 in

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A GROUP of aspiring politicians from Hertfordshire are campaigning for cheaper public transport fares for young people.

Two teenagers from St Albans are among 11 who are part of Hertfordshire Youth Parliament. Loreto College pupil Amelia Lean and ten other members are currently collecting signatures for a petition for reduced public transport fares for 11 to 19 year olds.

Every month, members meet and discuss the concerns of young people in county.

Amelia, a 15-year-old deputy member of the youth parliament from St Albans, said: “Youth Parliament is an important political outlet for young people in Hertfordshire, because their opinions can be brought to a regional and national level.”

Each member is aiming to collect 2,000 signatures each over the next few months and then present them to Hertfordshire County Council in a bid to raise the profile on how important the issue is for young people.

UK Youth Parliament is an organisation launched at the House of Commons in 1999.

Jilly Barry, one of the members of youth parliament for Hertfordshire, said: “I feel that the campaign for cheaper public transport reflects the times and subsequent monetary struggles of young people and their families.

“The support I have gained from young people with my work on the campaign is evidence that the cost of public transport is a relevant, pressing issue in our area and I hope that our petition, with thousands of signatures of those directly affected, will provoke realisation of need for drastic improvements and action.”