Young Social Democrats are proposing the introduction of social tickets for the unemployed. Such people would receive a 50% discount on journeys by municipal buses. The unemployed would also be entitled to free bus travel on days when they are required to report to the Labour Office. “Travel is expensive; many unemployed people either do not use public transport at all or travel without a ticket. Introducing discounts could help the unemployed in their search for work,” says Maciej Gorczyca of FMS.
The president of the Municipal Transport Company, however, draws attention to the financial aspect of the proposal. “Every discount introduced has to be compensated for. The city would have to cover the difference in the ticket price. It would be simpler if the Poviat Labour Office purchased single-use tickets and distributed them to the unemployed,” explains Andrzej Jagiera, president of the Municipal Transport Company in Bolesławiec.
FMS members nevertheless believe that introducing discounts would not worsen MZK’s financial results. “We believe that people buying social tickets would use buses more often thanks to the discounts, which would compensate for the lost revenue resulting from the lower fare,” says Daniel Biernat. Young Social Democrats also see no problem with checking whether a person is entitled to the discount. “The Poviat Labour Office issues certificates that could be checked by the Municipal Transport Company. Only people with a valid certificate from the PUP confirming their registration as unemployed would be entitled to use the discount,” explains Daniel Biernat.
The mayor of the city is not optimistic about the Young Social Democrats’ proposal. “Unemployed people do not have any major problem reaching the Labour Office or a potential employer. Bolesławiec is not a large city, after all. The discount would only create confusion and unnecessary bureaucracy,” explains Piotr Roman.
FMS members, however, remain determined. They say that implementing the proposal for social tickets and free travel to the Labour Office would not cause confusion or a disaster for the municipal budget. A similar system of discounts and free travel for the unemployed already operates in other Polish cities. In Jelenia Góra, the unemployed travel to the Labour Office free of charge. A letter serves as the ticket; unemployed people present it when they report to the office at the appointed time. Young Social Democrats are counting on the support of Bolesławiec residents. Signatures supporting the campaign can be submitted every day, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the SLD headquarters at 15 Opitza Street.