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?

How long are you a 'new mum' for then op??

Miaow, there is probably no bus available for you because too few people used it, free bus passes would keep the bus companies in business not just in cities but in rural communities too.

Jobs saved, transport available, independence for all and less cars on the road, local economies and activities well supported. It makes economic sense.

I qualify for free bus travel, but don't collect my bus pass because I live over a mile from the nearest bus stop so can not get there.

If they gave this "free travel" to mummies something else would have to give like libraries. In my mind they are far more important. If they didn't sacrifice a service, everyone's council tax would go up, so you'd have OAPs struggling to make ends meet, coughing up for your little jaunt into town.

Then there will be no end of bloody entitled women refusing to move or fold in the wheelchair space!

I don't think it would be a bad idea per se, I understand the reasoning behind it. Its just quite far down my list of priorities :)

Noooooo invisible dont start the wheelchair space debate!!!!!!!!

It's true though. It would make that space even more susceptible to misuse.

Why can't working mums get free travel? After paying bills and buying nappies, clothes, food etc there's often very little money left

What a lovely idea, I'd like to get your uterus awarded the St. George Cross. It's clearly really rather brilliant!

Nice idea, I like it. You already get free swimming when pregnant where I am - it would be great if they extended it to free transport too.

I wasnt disagreeing, youthecat :)

One of the issues is that there are large amounts of people in the UK who have children who can't even afford to keep their homes warm, it seems there is a couple of threads a week where people are living in cold homes or can't afford to feed their family :(

Families like this would not be able to afford travel, unfortunately these are probably the families who are most in need of bus travel to get to nice warm toddler groups and cheaper super markets.

Babies don't choose to be born into homes where the parents can't afford to keep them warm or feed them healthy food consistently.

Yes contraception is free, abortion is legal and readily available but there are children who are struggling and Idont think those children should be disadvantaged because their parents didn't lean to drive or budget for travel and parent/baby groups before their child is born.

By accepting that some families can't or won't spend money on taking their small children out we are just accepting that poverty will be inherited by the next generation.

Iam -free bus travel should promote more economic activity as well as save/create jobs. This in turn creates more wealth so it is not necessarily the case that other services would need to be sacrificed.

A bus full of crying babies! Hell no, mine are bad enough
Anyway just the thought if using a bus causes my brain to shout "bus-wankers" sorry no offence anybody.

It depends where you live Apple.

If you live really rurally where are jobs going to be created because the mummies are on the bus for nothing?

We don't all live in bustling cities.

Its not just some parents/new mummies that are isolated - what about single people on low incomes who don't even have the company of their children? Old people? It's unfair to always pander to parents at the expense of others.

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.

So we should fund transport to those activities? How about we make sure new parents get everything free and only have to keep paying their mortgage/bills so they have to make no allowances/cut backs for their children as many seem unwilling to do so and want it handed on a plate. If it is too expensive then walk...a few miles there and back is no hardship and god forbid the baby would get cold/wet...they don't melt!

YABVU, its a choice to get pregnant and have a baby and therefore people should plan for any expenses that brings. If you them chose to do this without the budget being there then its a choice you make as an adult and shouldnt be yet something else taxpayers have to pay for.

I think it would be a good thing, but it might well be too expensive - no idea what it would actually cost tbh. It would be good if school children got free transport too. If we are talking an ideal world then no need to say one or the other!

It could be one parent per family (if this were to come about) so that it's not discriminating against Dads.

If you are using the "why should they?" argument I guess why should pregnant women and women with a new baby get free prescriptions, dental treatment etc. But I think it is good that we do!

Agree Tudor we shouldn't pander to parents , I suggested up thread that there are a number of social groups that should be included, low income could be one.

I am -the bus driver has a job, there are support services for the bus company as more buses in use. Some people will use the bus to purchase goods, often at a better price. They may have a coffee out. It makes it easier for people to get work or better paid work. Now add to this the social benefits of this increased economic activity.

Its not just some parents/new mummies that are isolated - what about single people on low incomes who don't even have the company of their children? Old people?

The difference is that single people and old people are not bringing up the next generation of people. Mothers and fathers are.

Wombat we are part of a society here and children, ALL children are our future. I for one would rather have the enlightened approach of the Swedes, it's no coincidence that their young people achieve more highly than ours.

What sort of society do you want?

Try telling this to mums who can't get a wheelchair for their kids with chemo, or are waiting for speech therapy, or other vital treatment. Believe me, there are plenty of people out there who are struggling thanks to cuts in basic provision for people with disabilities. So YABU. Pay the bus fare or walk and be grateful your issues aren't more serious.

I personally think there are more important people that need free travel such as school age children

If you are using the "why should they?" argument I guess why should pregnant women and women with a new baby get free prescriptions, dental treatment etc. But I think it is good that we do!
Mim78...those who are entitled to it think it is wonderful. Sadly those whose life depends on it and they still have to pay don't see the necessity for it. I would love free prescriptions but sadly I don't. My life depends on my medication but yet have to either pay for 8 scripts a month or pay upfront for an annual certificate which is a big sum for someone on a low income.

The difference is that single people and old people are not bringing up the next generation of people. Mothers and fathers are.

Does bringing up the next generation of people mean that they are somehow better than other people? Some single people might not be able to have children, have had children, lost a child. Old people are possibly grandparents. Having children does not make you special. There are other ways in which people can contribute to society without reproducing.