NHS and social care workers are having to cover their own transport costs during the pandemic. Public transport is extremely costly and the need to finance travel has caused difficulty for many members of staff working in healthcare as well as many medical/dental/nursing students who self-fund.
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Many NHS staff and students do not currently have a sizable income and a significant number are relying solely on loans to support them through this time.
For reference, an annual adult travel pass in Greater Manchester costs £1264 for use of the bus and train.
Healthcare workers travel very frequently with sometimes lengthy commutes that they must pay for out of pocket. Subsidising public transport will ease the financial strain that many are experiencing.