Page 10 | £3 busfares will ruin me

Deportationsensation · 2024-10-30T14:56:47+00:00

Busfare cap to increase to £3. That’s £6 a day for buses. £10 extra a week. My food budget for 1 person is £10 a week. So that’s my food money gone to pay for buses. I can’t work more hours. I do what I can in working part time because I have health issues that would not qualify for PIP but affect me every day. Not qualifying for any benefits other than probably food bank use. Which I will now have to do. AIBU to just start wondering what is the point? Life isn’t supposed to be like this. Some of us are just trying to survive with no enjoyment in life at all.

V0xPopuli · 30/10/2024 16:13

Is there no work at all you could manage?

Sometimes there's a difference between literally "cannot work at all" and "working more would be really hard".

Sometimes with mental health especially, increasing work can initially be very tough but it can actually help in the long run.

PickAChew · 30/10/2024 16:10

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Since the weekend?

commonsense61 · 30/10/2024 16:09

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RedToothBrush · 30/10/2024 16:08

LePetitMaman · 30/10/2024 16:02

True. But some people don't always help themselves. (I work for a charity supporting low income and vulnerable families, and unfortunately the majority of the people coming in asking for help don't want to hear that they actually have to do something to help themselves too.)

It makes no sense that OP has £10 a week for food, yet doesn't qualify for any benefits. There's something else financially going on here.

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Unfortunately this is also a reality...

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 30/10/2024 16:08

Try olio app for free food and also churches

Delphiniumandlupins · 30/10/2024 16:08

You're right, life shouldn't be this hard. In my area there are several food banks that people don't need a qualifying referral, they will help anyone who turns up.

commonsense61 · 30/10/2024 16:07

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coffeesaveslives · 30/10/2024 16:06

VictoriaEra2 · 30/10/2024 15:56

That’s awful, Op. it does seem a nasty charge on those on minimum wage - that can’t afford cars - and take buses to work. Really cruel.

I wouldn't worry about OP if I were you, from her previous threads, she seems to spend a large amount of money on eyebrows and extensions.

RedToothBrush · 30/10/2024 16:06

My Dad is a volunteer for the CAB and the local food banks. Just to echo what others have said on this thread.

If you only have £10 per week for food, then really please do get in touch with both as your problem isn't the bus fare increase its other issues.

I'm well aware of how tough it is for so many out there from what my Dad tells me. But equally one of the biggest issues is unclaimed entitlements or mitigations which are highly likely in your sitution if thats all you have left for food.

Talk to them.

MilesOfCarpetTiles · 30/10/2024 16:06

CasperGutman · 30/10/2024 15:02

How much was your fare before the £2 cap was (relatively recently) introduced? If it used to be less than £3 then perhaps it still will be?

Yes ours went from over £3 to £2 now will be £3 so still far better off than previously.

julia08 · 30/10/2024 16:06

OP, how on earth do you manage to eat for £10 per week? Assuming money is temporarily tighter than usual, or that you maybe get free lunches at work? Or you’re batch cooking for a larger family and not including cupboard staples you already have in stock?

Differentstarts · 30/10/2024 16:06

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mongoliandoll · 30/10/2024 16:05

LePetitMaman · 30/10/2024 16:03

Lol.

And in this cross post, we might see the answer.

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Yeah...didn't read the thread (which is moving quicker than the number 33 from Bond Street) before I stirred the pot a bit more.

Alwaystired94 · 30/10/2024 16:04

LePetitMaman · 30/10/2024 16:02

True. But some people don't always help themselves. (I work for a charity supporting low income and vulnerable families, and unfortunately the majority of the people coming in asking for help don't want to hear that they actually have to do something to help themselves too.)

It makes no sense that OP has £10 a week for food, yet doesn't qualify for any benefits. There's something else financially going on here.

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And thats why i said i understood your sentiment, because those are situations where we do know more, this one we didn't so it's kind of hard to say for definite.

but seeing the OP history does seem to indicate the issue.

Mamma152 · 30/10/2024 16:03

I sympathise OP.

Where I live returns are not cheaper - the first time I asked for one with my child, 2 singles was £4 and 2 returns was £12! 🧐

We have bus passes but there are separate passes for those who travel south to the border of the county and those who travel further south into the city centre, even though you are taking the same bus. It's only worthwhile if you change buses to travel in other directions - given how infrequently rural buses run it's not ideal, especially with two kids.

I'm heavily pregnant and the rise in fare will restrict me to our village and reduce the how often I can go out with my baby and child.

We are on a medium wage but have savings so don't qualify for any benefits apart from DLA for DC. We burn through all our salary every month though because of his therapy. The new £3 cap is completely sh*t for me too.

ketchuptom · 30/10/2024 16:03

to think this OP’s job is childcare is nothing short of concerning

LePetitMaman · 30/10/2024 16:03

mongoliandoll · 30/10/2024 16:01

3 days ago your food budget was £15 a week. What's changed.
Less than a week ago you said you have lashes, hair extensions, the lot (whatever that means). I am not suggesting people on a low budget shouldn't spend money on themselves, but I think if you're looking for support about COL then you need to be clear about where your money is going.

Lol.

And in this cross post, we might see the answer.

LePetitMaman · 30/10/2024 16:02

Alwaystired94 · 30/10/2024 15:08

While i understand your sentiment, none of us on this thread are aware of the OP and their conditions and how this affects their day to day living. That you are able to do something despite significant circumstances doesn't mean everyone can. So yes, i understand why the first line would always be similar to "well i do x despite y and z, why can't you?' Their Y and Z could be A and B. We just don't know.

But complaining to strangers on the internet won't change the situation, but for many it's a much needed outlet or they may just have a breakdown.

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True. But some people don't always help themselves. (I work for a charity supporting low income and vulnerable families, and unfortunately the majority of the people coming in asking for help don't want to hear that they actually have to do something to help themselves too.)

It makes no sense that OP has £10 a week for food, yet doesn't qualify for any benefits. There's something else financially going on here.

mongoliandoll · 30/10/2024 16:01

3 days ago your food budget was £15 a week. What's changed.
Less than a week ago you said you have lashes, hair extensions, the lot (whatever that means). I am not suggesting people on a low budget shouldn't spend money on themselves, but I think if you're looking for support about COL then you need to be clear about where your money is going.

firef1y · 30/10/2024 15:59

You do realise that the cap was supposed to end completely by the end of the year don't you???
I don't know where you are but here in the sticks it cost £10/day for as many buses journeys as you want, or £7.50 return to the nearest town, before the cap came in to place.

VictoriaEra2 · 30/10/2024 15:56

That’s awful, Op. it does seem a nasty charge on those on minimum wage - that can’t afford cars - and take buses to work. Really cruel.

NeedToGetOutOfThisSomehow · 30/10/2024 15:56

Myself and my friend were chatting about this. Occasionally I take dcs on the bus to the city. I can pay £5 to park , last bus fares all return were £8.50 before any rises. But we did as the kids think it makes it more fun.

Fuel is nothing as city is close , but not walkable as a dual carriage way.

I very much doubt I'll bus anymore to be honest.

rainbowstardrops · 30/10/2024 15:54

MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 30/10/2024 15:22

Last week you had fake eyelashes and hair extensions. Maybe use your beauty budget for bus fares?

FFS!
It's so insensitive to start a thread like this when there are actual people struggling to live. Awful.

Alwaystired94 · 30/10/2024 15:53

Reading post history it does seem very rage baity? Which is a shame as there has been a lot of support given and it's just despicable thing to lie about when its the reality for some :(

PickAChew · 30/10/2024 15:49

MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 30/10/2024 15:22

Last week you had fake eyelashes and hair extensions. Maybe use your beauty budget for bus fares?

And a £15 food budget with it.