Bid to increase access to youth identity card scheme in East Sussex

The 3i-D card, which allows 11 to 19-year-olds in the county to prove their age as well as claim some reduced bus travel and discounts in some shops and leisure outlets, was developed by the East Sussex Youth Cabinet with the help of East Sussex County Council, Citizen Card and bus providers.

Since Monday libraries across the county are promoting 3i-D and can approve applications for the card, and this was marked by members of the youth cabinet at an event at Eastbourne Library.

Nick Steer, 16, a youth cabinet member from Eastbourne, said: “The event was a great opportunity to spread the word to decision-makers and parents at the library about the leaps that 3i-D has made since its launch.

“The library service being authorised to sign off 3i-D applications marks a great milestone for us and we hope to see more people signing up through this brilliant new channel.”

Jack Foley, 14, another youth cabinet member for Wealden, added: “I really enjoyed the launch because there were so many interesting people that were very supportive. This makes the card more widely known and accessible among young people.”

The 3i-D card was launched in December 2013 and previously relied on each school registering to support the scheme, which makes cards available for a one-off charge of £12.

It is available in two versions, for under-16s and 16 to 19-year-olds, and is free to young people from families entitled to free school meals.

The under-16 card ensures youngsters can claim child fares on all East Sussex bus routes through all companies, while the other card offers child fares for off-peak travel during the week, at weekends and on Bank Holidays on Stagecoach buses.

Sylvia Tidy, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for children and families, said: “The 3i-D card has been a great success in allowing young people to prove their age and claim the discounts they’re entitled to with one handy card.

“These changes, which will make the card accessible to a greater number of people, are the result of more hard work by the Youth Cabinet.”

For more information visit the website or contact the families service on 0345 6080192.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make our website your homepage.

2 Like our Facebook page.

3 Follow us on Twitter.

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.