Matthew's fare blow

Matthew Stone, 17, who attends a sixth form college, had been given no warning that he would have to pay an extra 23 a month until he went to buy his ticket on Monday.

Said his father, Reg: 'Student rail and bus cards are available to anyone under 18 in full time education, but they can be used only after 9am, which is useless for getting to college.'

Matthew had therefore been relying on the concessionary rate arranged through East Sussex County Council.

Mr Stone called the council and it was confirmed that Matthew would have to pay the full adult fare. 'I was told it was because the council had not been able to negotiate successfully with the rail companies,' he said.

'There was no answer to my question how one local education authority could negotiate successfully and another could not, bearing in mind the rail companies are the same,' Mr Stone said.

'Rail fares are, at the best of times, extortionate and prohibitive for many. This will make it much more difficult for those on low incomes,' he added.

Matthew is learning to drive and his father said that once he passes his test it will mean one more car on the road making daily journeys to and from college. 'Young people will own cars come what may, and who can blame them when they opt to use them because public transport is too expensive?'

An ESCC spokesman said it was true that, while West Sussex residents were still able to travel at a discount, it was no longer the case in East Sussex because the council had been unable to negotiate concessionary rates.

He added: 'We are pursuing other ways in which we may be able to help students with travel costs.'