A PORTHMADOG student has accused Gwynedd Council of age discrimination after being ref­used a bus pass to travel to college.

Emma Roberts, 30, started at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor Dolgellau in September 2015 and has been struggling ever since to purchase a student bus pass because she does not fall into the age bracket of 16 to 22 years old.

The mother of three has to rely on lifts from her tutors to make sure she arrives at college in time for her classes.

She said: “When I started college I contacted the council to arrange a term pass to use the college bus, but I was told I couldn’t have one as they only provided them to students who are between the ages of 16 and 22.

“I don’t drive and the first public bus to Dolgellau from Porthmadog is 10.20am so I would arrive late for my classes.

“I’m not allowed to use the college bus without the pass so I’m stuck and rely on lifts with tutors down to college.

“Its age discrimination at the end of the day, all you hear is the government encouraging people to go back to college to better themselves with their education, but then they won’t allow me to purchase a bus pass to go to college?

“It’s very frustrating when I see the bus pass right by me each morning, but I’m not allowed to get on it and have to rely on lifts.”

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