A TEENAGER who pays adult prices to get to and from college every day has set up a petition in the hope he can lobby the government for cheaper rides for students.

Tom Hall travels from his home village of Broadway to Stratford every day to attend college with each trip costing him £6.10, which is more than £30 a week.

As a 17-year-old it is now mandatory for him to be in some form of education or training until he is 18.

But after spending hundreds of pounds over a year of making the journey and hearing the cost was putting people off going to college Mr Hall decided to try and encourage local and central government to do something about the issue.

"I started the petition and in the first few days I had 500 signatures," said Mr Hall, whose petition on change.org now has 778 signatures.

"About five times a week I catch the bus and it's a long journey, high prices and it annoys me because it's the same price for students as for adults.

"It adds up so much, I think the government should have a separate cost for students. I really enjoy college but I know people that find it hard to get there because of the cost.

"The government want everyone in education until we are 18 but why should we if we have to pay?"

Ultimately Mr Hall would like a reduced rate for students and wants to put this proposal to the Secretary of State for Transport, The Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin, and the Secretary of State for Education, Nicky Morgan.

His view is backed by the bus company he travels with everyday, Johnsons coach and bus travel.

Peter Johnson, operations director, said: "For us the politicians need to square this circle, we would agree that it seems really unfair when the retired get free bus passes yet students at the other end of their lives have to be charged a full adult fare to get to education.

"We are proud at Johnsons that we do what we can to support all members of rural communities with a reliable and affordable transport solutions with value for money and varied travel pass schemes that help overcome these financial difficulties."

Mr Hall has also got the support of his local councillor Liz Eyre, who is also the county council cabinet member for children and families.

But Cllr Eyre added that funds were tight.

"I've been in touch with Tom and will be happy to present the petition to the relevant people so we can formally respond," she said.

"During our correspondence I have explained what student transport passes might be available, what home to school transport we currently fund, the financial challenge the annual bill, which is around £12million, already poses for the taxpayers of Worcestershire and outlined the difficult decisions we have to make, especially since the council has seen no extension to its post-16 funding following the central government decision to raise the education participation age."

To support the petition visit http://chn.ge/1DE0SLo.