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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think new mums should be given free bus travel?

191 replies

bella411 · 09/01/2014 10:07

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?

OP posts:
lollylaughs · 09/01/2014 10:26

I don't get it.... what else will you expect for free just because you are having a baby. If you cant afford to get to your appointment, how are you going to afford a baby?

WorraLiberty · 09/01/2014 10:29

Playgroups are not compulsory. Some of us managed perfectly well without ever stepping foot in one Grin

As others have said, it's a mad idea.

We get free bus travel for kids here in London and I'd prefer to see that rolled out across the UK.

I had no idea how much people have to pay to get their kids to and from school, until I joined Mumsnet.

sparklesandbling · 09/01/2014 10:33

YANBU in being idealistic and wanting something to benefit lots of women and make life better, in a lovely world this would happen.

YABU in wanting this to happen. Why should money be ring fenced for this when funds are being cut to children's services across the country.

When you have to pay parking charges to take your often ill child to hospital, when there is no money in hospital funds to pay for a parent to have a meal whilst looking after their child in hospital who is bed bound and unable to look after themselves.

I could go on, there are so many other services were money is vital and is being cut left right and centre.

notso · 09/01/2014 10:33

I think people with very low incomes should get free or cheaper transport. When my sister was on JSA she spent a fortune on buses and taxi's getting to interviews and the job centre.

Vagndidit · 09/01/2014 10:37

You're not suggesting that newmummydom is like a disability then...?!??

In all seriousness I would applaud free bus rates for the under 12s or so. First group has a modest discount for children but their rates are a laugh to begin with

drbonnieblossman · 09/01/2014 10:37

yabu. stupid idea. if finances during pregnancy/mat leave are so tight that a bus fare cannot be afforded, it begs the question as to whether a child.

drbonnieblossman · 09/01/2014 10:37

... can be afforded.

meditrina · 09/01/2014 10:42

If only the mothers were eligible, would this not marginalise fathers?

elliejjtiny · 09/01/2014 10:43

It would be nice in an ideal world but YABU.

So many people would benefit from free public transport who don't get it eg people on jobseekers allowance, chronically ill people (I spend an absolute fortune taking my DC to hospital appointments and paying for parking.

Also from a completely selfish point of view if buses became free to all new mums there would be even more unfolded buggies on the bus and my DS would never be able to get on the bus with his wheelchair. (apologizes for bringing up the subject of wheelchairs/buggies/buses and dons hard hat)

parkin2010 · 09/01/2014 10:43

To be honest walking everywhere and enjoying the fresh air lost me all my pregnancy weight and more... If this had been available I'd be still fat!

Sallyingforth · 09/01/2014 10:43

Bloody stupid idea.

gamerchick · 09/01/2014 10:49

Personally I would ban prams on buses full stop Grin

notmyproblem · 09/01/2014 10:54

To use the words from your other thread OP, "man up youre not the first or last person to have a baby". Or does that only apply to your SIL? Hmm

Pay your own way.

glasgowsteven · 09/01/2014 11:10

OAPs get free bus travel purely based on age not income so why dont people on JSA get free bus travel!

Original poster
bella411 · 09/01/2014 11:17

All I said it was an idealism! And yes I can man up notmyproblem, it was just a talkin point but thanks for your input.

I am lucky I have use of a car if a planned visit/outings, can pre buy bulk travel to make it cheaper. Can afford to have a year off and do outgoings.

Not all oaps need free travel like not new parents would need it. (I am not oap bashing here).

OP posts:
Original poster
bella411 · 09/01/2014 11:19

But it is often cheaper to let all in a certain large criteria have free travel, rather than expensive means testing. I think above my idea of new mums, people on jsa should be given free travel to job interview, though I think some job centre do that. Know it was trialled near me.

OP posts:
wigglesrock · 09/01/2014 11:25

But I still don't understand why you think new mums should get free travel?

Guineapig99 · 09/01/2014 11:27

YABU

Original poster
bella411 · 09/01/2014 11:33

it's just a thought to maybe help some people who may benefit from it.

For example, not having to think of cost of bus fare when going to places as well as money when get there. (yes there are hundreds of things to do for free, walking costs nothing etc).

If you live in an isolated village, only houses and a pub in the village you may depend on transport to get out of the village to meet new mums.

Yes a lot wouldnt need or want it. Therefore I asked should it be available in an ideal world. And I'm really not sayin there aren't better ways for money to be spentlike free travel for children, hospital parking (which I know all to well at the moment )

OP posts:
CoffeeTea103 · 09/01/2014 11:33

Yabu, how would you even control that? At what point would it be ok for them so stop using it for free. Is there no end to what people expect they are entitled to.
If you can't make the bus travel then don't have the child.

Lambsie · 09/01/2014 11:37

I live in an isolated village and the lack of public transport is a far bigger issue than having to pay for it.

Original poster
bella411 · 09/01/2014 11:41

So without then turning this into an abortion debate. If for when every child was conceived (planned/accident) you were on an income where you would just about have enough to feed and dress them but no money for activities, days out etc, you shouldn't have that child.

I'm probably taking your comment further than you intended but should it sounds a bit harsh ... And even like my free travel thought idealistic. No money = no child

OP posts:
SomethingkindaOod · 09/01/2014 11:41

I would prefer to see free bus travel for schoolchildren too, I didn't know that it was available anywhere in the Uk! Even with an igo pass DS pays a fortune a week to get to school.
Remembers when a child's bus fare used to be 10p?? Those were the days... Grin

wigglesrock · 09/01/2014 11:43

But you're only talking about new mums not children at school age or toddler age when going out is a bloody lifesaver.

Original poster
bella411 · 09/01/2014 11:48

Free bus travel should be a given too. Even if you can drive I know about friends of primary aged children whohave been placed in different school in different parts of the city. Therefore she has to pay for a breakfast club for one child so they both get there in time. If free travel was available this would help her.

Seeing as free school travel has come up, should this be more important to the government than maybe free school meals for ks1? Or should both be as important (school travel and school meals that is)

OP posts: