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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

£3 busfares will ruin me

313 replies

Deportationsensation · 30/10/2024 14:56

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.

OP posts:
Alwaystired94 · 30/10/2024 15:03

By the sounds of it, you would be entitled to UC or PIP. If your conditions make it difficult or outright stop you from completing everyday tasks, you need to look at PIP. There are no specific health conditions that PIP is not applied to. It's all based on how you are impacted in those daily tasks. If you have before but were 'denied' i know from reading on here many are denied at first then submit the MR.

Similar with UC, if you are budgeting £10 a week for food and working part time, i can't see how you wouldn't be entitled?

SabrinaCarpenter · 30/10/2024 15:03

Surely you're entitled to UC if you have £10 a week for food?

£10 a week for a balanced diet and basic needs is not sustainable.

iamtheblcksheep · 30/10/2024 15:03

I have two autoimmune diseases and am waiting for an operation. I’m in constant excruciating pain. I also run a business and work 12 hour days. I’ve been in the position of no money v working through pain. I chose to put food on the table and pay my bills.

You need to work more hours. I’m not trying to be cruel, just realistic. Complaining to strangers on the internet won’t change your situation.

LittleRedRidingHoody · 30/10/2024 15:02

May well be cheaper to look at bus pass/return ticket OP. Where I am singles are £2 which I've used over anything else because it's ad hoc I need one, but the return ticket is £4.30ish and a monthly pass is £80.

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?

BobbyBiscuits · 30/10/2024 15:02

It's awful isn't it. I think at most they should have a cap for people below a certain income. So you can get it for £1.50 then if youre more well off you can pay £3. Someone on £60k plus can afford that, but not someone on £10k.
I also think it should be free to people who aren't working if they can show it was to get to a job interview or training session leading to work.

Firestorms · 30/10/2024 15:01

Would your health qualify you for a free bus pass?

If not would a weekly/ monthly pass work out cheaper?

coxesorangepippin · 30/10/2024 15:01

Bus pass?

Are you a student

LePetitMaman · 30/10/2024 15:01

Why are you so cash strapped that you only have £10 a week for food, but don't qualify for universal credit?

Maddy70 · 30/10/2024 15:00

Its a cap. It may be cheaper

Skunkaniseed · 30/10/2024 14:59

That sounds like you may be eligible for PIP. The criteria is they must affect you the majority of the time (so 4 days in 7 or equivalent). It your health is limiting your ability to work you'll likely be eligible, seek help with applying.

CoralReader · 30/10/2024 14:59

Would a bus pass be more efficient?

notmoredirtywashing · 30/10/2024 14:58

Sorry to hear that.

Have you applied for PIP? It's to help with daily struggles as you've said you have so it's worth applying Flowers