Free London bus travel for under 18s to be removed

[PeppermintSoda]

Saw this on another thread. There's a petition if this affects you. www.change.org/p/transport-for-london-stop-tfl-from-removing-free-travel-for-under-18s?

Elsewhere, if you have to (as opposed to chose to) go to a school more than 3 miles away then you qualify for free school transport.

What is the plan in London for that?
I can see it could cause issues for people who chose a distant school not considering the free transport.

It doesn't happen elsewhere so I am not surprised given that the Tories hate Sadiq Khan that this change has been enforced on him.

I understand the need for families in London to use public transport, but other than school buses, transport is not free in other parts of England (not sure about devolved nations) and it is a cost parents are expected to pay.

I'm also aware that London has a lot of poorer families, but it also has some of the wealthiest, so should it not be means tested?

They don’t get it elsewhere so it’s the right call.

Surely this will just bring the busses in line with the rest of the country.

My ds has to pay £3.70 a day to get to school and back via bus.

welcome to the rest of the country, London. Now you know how it feels - you've still got the incredible frequent and long-lasting service.

TFL is in deep financial trouble due to the massive drop in numbers. That's the issue.

No free bus travel in Essex - secondary school children do a lot of walking...

Ah. The race to the bottom.

Surely we should have been championing this for the rest of our kids, not applauding it being stopped because 'we don't get it anyway'

I never did understand this mentality. I think it's a shame for parents who live on the edge of a tight budget and will start to struggle more, particularly with all the job losses etc the country is facing.

It would be lovely to have free travel for under eighteens throughout the country. It's not affordable though, especially now.

Oh no, I agree it's not affordable. That doesn't mean people mindsets have to be applauding the loss to London.

This is discussed in more detail on the main thread, so i won't repeat. Posted on here in case people hadn't seen the main thread and petition. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3922626-London-parents-did-you-know-about-public-transport-changes