Since 2016, Northumbria University students and staff have had free travel on the number one Stagecoach bus service from Coach Lane Campus to Northumbria University. Meanwhile, Newcastle students on the same route pay upwards of £1 per journey depending on the ticket – why is this?
Northumbria University has two campuses along this route so they have access to free travel from 7 am and 10.15 pm seven days a week, going beyond university hours. Currently, Newcastle students can get an under 21-single for £1 or a standard single ticket for £2. If you’re on campus five days a week this comes to a total of £10 to £20, and with an average of 30 weeks in an academic year transport to university can set students back a minimum of £300. This does not even consider the travel cost to attend extracurricular activities which students are encouraged to be involved in.
Considering students from both universities pay the same tuition fees, Newcastle students are not recieving the same support from their University.
While universities across the country are struggling financially, Stagecoach stated for Northumbria free bus travel “reduces financial outlay” for the university as they save on transportation costs. A partnership with Stagecoach also improves sustainability, which would support Newcastle University’s aim of promoting “the use of more sustainable modes of transport,” such as buses.
The Newcastle University Student Union have recently released their action priorities, with one being confronting the cost-of-living crisis. Addressing the cost of transportation for students by subsidising bus fares is a no-brainer to relieve financial pressures, which would especially support students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who may choose to live in Heaton as rent is generally cheaper.
Considering students from both universities pay the same tuition fees, Newcastle students are not receiving the same support from their university. It is noteworthy that NUSU had a commuting student officer for a time, yet this position no longer exists, and this issue remains unaddressed.
If Newcastle University wants to seriously tackle the cost-of-living crisis experienced by staff and students, they must follow in Northumbria’s footsteps and support their commuting students by subsidising bus fares.
