PRIME MINISTER David Thompson has created history with the introduction of free travel for schoolchildren on Transport Board vehicles.

However, said political analyst Peter Wickham, Government has yet to articulate a more comprehensive transport policy.

"But there is still time for that to happen," he added.

Wickham was speaking to the DAILY NATION yesterday via telephone a couple of hours after Thompson had finished delivering the Budget.

Calling the free bus fare proposal the "centrepiece" of the Budget, he said it would be very beneficial to schoolchildren, particularly those from poorer households.

"I am looking at it against the expectations that it is the first Budget for the new Democratic Labour Party Government and against a global context.

"It has done as much as possible to create an economic ease by taking revenue from places where it is tolerable [such as the subscription fee for cellphones].

"I think it is a fairly decent package and will keep the economy going," he said. (CA)