Child without a travel ticket

[Imtryingveryhard]

We’ve been out today as a family. Bought a family day ticket that covers up to 4 children. We have 2. We head home. Friend of a child gets on at a stop with no ticket. We didn’t know. Next stop ticket inspectors get on and the friend (10) panics. I explain this and the Ticket inspectors accept they can be covered on our family ticket but friend is still shocked. We reassure them and explain ticketing rules so he isn’t caught out again. Had a bus pass but this didn’t cover the train. Would you contact their parents to explain so they can educate or leave it as we’ve done what we can. Friend was very upset and grateful we helped. I think I should, partner says no as we’ve helped the child directly.

yes of course you tell the parent so they can help their child to avoid or deal with the situation in future.

Yes I'd tell the parents. Strange they thought they could use a bus ticket. Although I suppose you can with a Travelcard.

I would have just said 'don't worry we will pay' and that be an end of it. They don't need the ins and outs and they don't need it going over later.

Of course you should.

Oh of course I would tell the parents their child was on the train without a ticket, that's strange that they didn't make sure their child had one.

10 years old?

Yes absolutely contact the parents

In our area you can buy an add on but they didn’t.

We didn’t have to pay, our travel card included extra children.

Why have the parents let the child travel on a train without explaining to them they need a ticket?! I would hope they knew where their 10 year old was.

Wait,was child out with you? With wrong ticket? Or just randomly on with no ticket which is how I read it

Just you say, out as family, gets on at a stop, we didn't know.

No, child not out with us but hopped on 2 stops from home. They were so upset and we calmed them down/sorted. They had travelled by bus a few stops away and then joined us back later that day. Public transport is being used as a means to get year 6 kids ready for high school. It’s lucky for this child we were there to help.

Public transport is being used as a means to get year 6 kids ready for high school. It’s lucky for this child we were there to help.

I'm all for kids using public transport and practicing for high school but that doesn't really work if you dont tell them what they need tickets for and how to buy them. I think the parents have let the child down here. Did you explain to the child how to do it right next time?

Yes I know, but the 10 year old didn't need to know the complexities. 'It's paid, don't worry' would have been fine. Then contact the parents to let them know their 10 year old is catching a train - maybe they didn't know, otherwise the child would surely have been given a ticket

My child’s friend was completely reassured and was happy we supported him. Im
pleased we could help.

I'm guessing this is in London? under 11s can travel for free on the Tube but need a Zip card. but I think they have to pay for some trains like Thameslink that would otherwise take an Oyster card. So it can be pretty confusing.

We did. They were in tears when they thought they were in trouble and were so
happy when we resolved this. It’s just do we tell parents or leave it. The child has been educated by us.

Educated?

I would tell the parents yes, why was the 10 year old travelling alone by train? What had they not ensured they had a ticket?

This.
Which is why I would mention to parents that they were unaware of what they were doing, and, they were then really upset when - effectively - caught traveling without a ticket, so the parents know they need more help understanding which you would kind of expect from parents in the first place before sending a 10 yr old off on their own