London parents - Free bus travel for children suspended from October half term

[Poundpup]

I just came across this article whilst browsing the BBC site and it seems that free transport for under 18s will be suspended temporarily directly after the October half term. With exceptions for those travelling to school more than 2 miles away.

Does anyone know how much a child's fare is? As nowhere seems to indicate what the incoming children fares will be.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-53694922

tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2020/august/tfl-reminds-londoners-of-important-changes-to-buses-when-schools-start-to-return-next-week

At the end of the press release there are the route numbers

Note - no distancing is planned for the school service buses so all seats will be used

That’s still nowhere near enough capacity for a school children and commuters. Buses were standing room already round here, if you could get on the bus at all. Would also like to know plans for social distancing on trams - where the driver cannot restrict access and has to open doors to let passengers off.

@SheWranglesRugRats

We must leave cars behind to tackle climate change

I agree with this, but come on, two miles is eminently walkable.

But hey, disposable gloves and masks for all!

@SquirmOfEels and @AveEldon Thanks for posting updates. Seems like a good plan coverting some buses to be used by school children only.

Has anyone seen any official updates on this yet? Half term is swiftly approaching and as far as I can see there is still no information on if the plan is going ahead, what the fares will be, how parents can apply for concessions etc etc etc.

On another note, the bus system seems to be increasingly stretched, and the school/non-school split isn't working at all well on our route. There are no extra buses so it's essentially just changed a service running every 15 minutes to one running every 30 minutes from the user's point of view. If DD can't get on the school service because it's too full, she's left waiting for a very long time for the next one. There is also no indication on timetables or live running information about which buses are 'school' or 'non-school' so it's impossible for her to judge whether to wait it out, try another route or just start walking.

I appreciate these are unusual times but TFL's information and messaging leaves a lot to be desired.

Not seen anything official but heard rumours that it has been delayed again

Article about it here. Says it's been pushed back to the spring, but all still a bit vague.

www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/18776636.end-free-bus-travel-london-school-children-delayed/

Thanks for posting that update - I'd been wondering when we would hear more about this.

Tf website saying changes still possible in the near future (and that some will still get free, others child rates). With need to roll out a new two tier scheme comes need for time to do it, and admin costs to deliver it. Seems like they're just plain not ready

Also no-one is clearly articulating why it would be worthwhile- especially as (according to linked article) bus use is 60% and tube 30% of pre-pandemic levels

Is this classed as a ZOMBIE?

Just wondering if this idea had been scrapped, permanently?

As my offspring have been getting free travel (via their zip Oyster cards) way after it was meant to end.

I really hope it is not going to happen!