CHEAPER bus fares for teen-agers have come a step closer after talks about extending the concessions currently available to pensioners.

The area's main bus operator, First Group, has indicated its support for discounted fares being offered to 16 to 18-year-olds, linked to the introduction of a proof-of-age card.

Malvern Hills District Council is now also backing the move, after a review of ways to extend the concessionary fares being offered.

By law, the council has to provide half-fares for disabled and elderly people and that benefit could also be extended to users of community transport schemes, like Malvern Dial-a-Ride and Upton Community Care, if the findings of a review panel are accepted.

The panel is also recommending the council talks to neighbouring authorities about a countywide concessionary fares scheme.

At the moment, a resident in Powick cannot use the cheap fares scheme to go to Worcester to shop, as the city is covered by a different council.

The half-fare pilot scheme for Community Transport users could be launched in 2004/5 and reviewed after six months. It will cost a maximum of £25,000.

Cheaper fares for young people rest on a Smartcard, which will store information such as age, for which proposals are already being drawn up.

On a more general level, the review panel is also calling for a central point for information on all bus services in the district.

It also says parish councils should be encouraged to apply for Countryside Agency grants to address local transport needs and that the possibility of employing a transport co-ordinator should be investigated.

However, the panel said that while concessions would be welcomed by local people, they may not result in more bus use.

A survey conducted as part of the study suggested that the public perception of buses is that they are infrequent and unreliable, and that cost was not the main issue.