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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:
RandyRudolf · 09/01/2014 11:50

Er...no YABU Hmm

ComposHat · 09/01/2014 11:52

I agree, Steven people on jsa shoild be a a priority for free or cheaper bus travel. Far more deserving than handing it out to wealthy pensioners who can and should pay for their transport. It should be means tested for pensioners.

But as we have a government who are hell bent on demonising the unemployed and bribing pensioners (as they are disproportionately likely to vote and disproportionately likely to vote Tory) I can't see it happening.

Original poster
bella411 · 09/01/2014 11:53

Wiggle . . I'd love for all family travel to be a lot cheaper but even with idealistic view of free travel when a person is on maternity leave. I see it would have to stop after the maternity leave finishes.

As ssomeone with an educational background and the council wanting to reduce the summer holidays as they state parents can't feed their childew and for 6 weeks as they normally have free school meals, I would love during the school holidays for travel with children to be free. Our local bus company does do reduced group travel during these times, but still costs.

OP posts:
HopAlongOnItsOnlyChristmas · 09/01/2014 11:56

You can claim travel expenses for health appointments back through the maternity exemption card (the one that gets you free prescriptions) anyway. So it's already free for those kind of things.

Starballbunny · 09/01/2014 11:58

YABVVVU
DD2(12) has been on a normal local British bus once, DD1(15) probably never has.

Why, we don't have any!

wigglesrock · 09/01/2014 11:59

Yes, but what I'm saying is that the new mums thing is just so random. Maternity leave can finish when you as a parent decide (either through choice or not), so would you be talking about 4, 6, 9, 12 months? Is it for first time mothers or every period of maternity leave? I

ilovesooty · 09/01/2014 12:00

I run employability courses at the moment. My clients have to find the bus fare out of their jsa to attend twice a week plus the bus fare to sign on at the job centre and attend other appointments deemed necessary. I'd be livid if the government or bus companies decided to
pander to new mothers just to make their lives a little more pleasant when money is so tight and there are people who need it.
A thororoughly stupid and over indulgent idea.

MrsBennetsEldest · 09/01/2014 12:00

Of course new mums should get free bus passes so they can get out and about more. What about a free haircut and vouchers for some new clothes so they feel good about themselves. Free cups of coffee at Starbucks so all the new mums can meet up, having used their bus pass, chat about their new babies, haircuts, clothes, then they can all go home and chat about it on Facebook. Lovely. FFS.

Onesleeptillwembley · 09/01/2014 12:01

What a ridiculous idea. Why on earth should they get that just for having reproduced.

Original poster
bella411 · 09/01/2014 12:06

Without sounding sarcastic wiggle, it is just a thought as people had been discussing oap travel. So hadn't given it a full thought out plan.or proposal .... Maybe it should be for the first 3 months or for the whole nine months. But agree if for maternity leave why not for longer.
I saw it as a stepping stone to get new mums out, involved more with their local children's centre as the one I go to s struggling at the moment with it being such a large area but diffcult for all to get to.

OP posts:
NotNewButNameChanged · 09/01/2014 12:06

Most stupid suggestion I've seen on MN in a very long time.

QuintessentialShadows · 09/01/2014 12:07

It need not be difficult to administer.

A paper card with your discharge date, written on, valid for three months. You wave it at the bus driver who smile and give you a bunch of flowers welcomes you on board.

newyearhere · 09/01/2014 12:12

YABU

TantrumsAndBalloons · 09/01/2014 12:13

Do can you use the free travel if you don't have the child with you?
Because surely having a bit of time alone is "essential" for mothers Grin

Anyway. I honestly think all buses in the uk for school children should be free- the children not the parents though.
We have free travel in london, I can't believe how much some people have to pay to get their secondary age DCs to school, it's ridiculous

wigglesrock · 09/01/2014 12:13

I know you're not being sarcastic, & I know its lovely & ideal but most people don't use centres or facilities because the public transport in general is crap, or because they can't bring other kids, or the times don't suit, or they don't want to in general.

If I was getting free transport, I would be using it to go to a baby group. Free bus travel isn't going to make a difference to parents who live on a crappy bus route nor will it help mums who can't face leaving the house to begin with.

hercules1 · 09/01/2014 12:13

Surely the bus driver would not only smile but also get off his chair to assist the new mummy and pfb on to the bus whilst the other passengers watch adoringly.

chillykitty · 09/01/2014 12:14

I hate buses
Heavily pregnant women would struge to squeeze on
Hate the thought of struggling with a buggy and baby

wigglesrock · 09/01/2014 12:14

sorry I wouldn't be using it

hercules1 · 09/01/2014 12:14

What about free wine and chocolate for the new mums too?

PenguinsDontEatKale · 09/01/2014 12:17

Well, lots of things would be nice. Free prescriptions for all again, for example. Free dental care for all. Etc, etc.

But no, it wouldn't particularly be on my wish list. It would only help a select group of women who have access to decent bus services, it would be pretty sexist. IMO any spare money (if there was some!) could be spent better.

QuintessentialShadows · 09/01/2014 12:23

It would not be sexist is it was for the child, to ensure mum get to take him/her to the hv, clinic, etc.

Original poster
bella411 · 09/01/2014 12:28

Agree with the children centre points you make wiggle, and not helping some mums get out the house still.

I am suppose fortunate the city where I live is great for transport so don't have the issue of others.

Also to others could use your maternity exemption card so have it during pregnancy and a year after without any further card needed.

Also can there be a massuer on the bus too

OP posts:
Sallyingforth · 09/01/2014 12:30

Free bus passes would be discriminatory against mothers in country areas without a bus service. New mums should be given cars and a free petrol allowance

maillotjaune · 09/01/2014 12:33

I'd be up for the free haircut but I'd have needed some free child care to help me attend.

I agree with PPs suggesting wealthier pensioners shouldn't get this benefit either. If we can't afford universal benefits then perhaps they all need to be means tested.

ReallyTired · 09/01/2014 12:37

lol... OAPs are given free transport to reduce road accidents. There are lots of elderly people who aren't prepared to throw in the towel and accept that they are too dippy to be allowed on the road. Giving OAPs free bus passes is kind way of persauding them off the road.

I see no reason why new mums need free transport (other than baby brain). I would rather that children got transport to school paid for.