to think new mums should be given free bus travel?

[bella411]

I know there's a recession and it is more an idealism but why couldn't / shouldn't new mums have free bus travel during their maternity leave run much in the same way as pensioner bus travel. Money is often tight they have appointments to go to such as drs and health centre and maybe even hospitsl visits.

My "local" play groups are all not really walking distance, neither is my drs. Also visiting friends and family I have to rely on them picking me up or public transport.

Where I live the public transport is good and reasonably priced £3.40 for unlimited daily travel.

But I feel in free bus passes were given it may help encourage some new mums to get out and visit more playgroups and maybe even get out more.

What do other people think?

I agree

Although I can't see it happening. Bus co.'s are privately owned and looking to make a profit and the government probably couldn't afford it.

In an ideal world though...

Do you realise what such a scheme would cost? Where would the money come from in these times of recession?
Child benefit which was a universal benefit has been cut for those who earn over a certain amount. Many new parents have access to cars or can afford buses.
I agree that many cannot and for some this may be a great scheme, however it wouldn't be needed for all new mums.

Not all new mum's are skint.
It would cost a fortune to administer.

I would resources be spent elsewhere to be honest.

Why should they? Just women not men? At what age would the free bus travel stop - what age would the baby be? Could you transfer the free pass to a carer?

I'd rather all children of a school age where given free public transport Mon - Fri.

But pregnancy and maternity is something most people plan for, not like old age where it's inevitable.... (although yes I appreciate you could argue you can financially plan for both and if you fall on hard times there are benefits available for both.....!)

Erm, maybe because you choose to have children and therefore become a new mum and you don't choose to become old/vulnerable/potentially house-bound/financially struggling...

Nobodies interested in paying money to help new mums "get out more" why would they?

Sometimes adults have to do things off their own backs.

I would prefer cheaper fares for school children

I think that's ridiculous. But then I live in Australia where you pay for everything. Ambulances, school trips, speech therapy etc.

It's a ridiculous idea....why are you entitled to a free bus pass just because you have chosen to have a baby!

Bonkers!

I think that is a ridiculous idea. Many pensioners can't drive or walk very easily. That is not true of most new mums.

Money is tight for many people, not just new mums.

My son has more appointments at 4 than he did as a baby and further from home too. Should we get free travel?

You could probably find an argument for free travel for any group using your points.

Yabu

I agree if it was extended to new mums, should the unemployed get it, people with a disability etc etc and the bus companie would either go bust or everyone would pay a fortune.

I do have access to a car, through shared use and I too saved for my pregnancy so I could have the year off. But many do not.

YABU.

I would have to pay over £400 for DS2(17) to get to school of he used the bus!

Christ on a bike, whatever next?

I'm another one for free school transport. School age children have no choice whether to go or stay or drive. Currently costing me £80 monthly.

People with a disabilty do get it because, you know, they don't have the option of walking!

It's a bad idea. Why would young women need public transport to get out and about?

"free" in this context means "paid for by your local authority out of your Council tax"

Some are already struggling to pay for pensioners.

How much would this cost? And assuming no increase to council tax, what can be removed from the budget to meet this new cost?

If you afford bus fares best wait until you can before choosing to have a baby.

No it's a mad idea. But buses are very expensive these days compared to years ago. Why not free bus travel for everyone. That would be easier to administer.

No. Getting old isn't a choice. Having babies is.

I pay over £700 a year for my ds school bus pass. Now THAT should be free as it's for his education.
Free travel for new mums is ridiculous imho.

I drive now, but didn't with my first two children. They were walked/pushed to the shop, nursery school until I leant to drive.

New parents can go outside if they want - they have feet. They mightn't get to go where they want but free bus passes with not alleviate the loneliness or isolation some parents feel. Fwiw I found the bus with a baby & then a bus with a baby & toddler possibly the most stressful, sweat inducing experience of kids.

Why on earth should new mums (what about dads?) get free transport?

Being a mum is something you choose to do and plan for- if you are on a low income you should check what benefits you are entitled to- why should bus companies or the tax payer have to fund your travel?

Still

Good grief! Really?

Choosing to become pregnant is (mostly) a choice. Sort your own transport out and leave the help for people who really need it.