Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Original poster

Aibu to want ds to travel for free on the bus?

113 replies

BeyondWithTwoToddlers · 21/05/2014 17:36

Mentioned this in a related thread earlier, but thought i'd run it by aibu.

I have a free bus pass as am disabled. However, because it doesnt count as a "full fare paying adult", I have to pay for my toddler on the bus, who would be free if i was paying normal adult fare for myself.

I'm a bit miffed about it, a bus pass is provided for me as the council understands I cant walk from a to b, but i still cant get infinite buses as i do still have to pay for ds. I'm not saying he should be free full stop by the way, just that as an adult, my pass should count as an adult fare. Seems to be yet another case of disabled parents not being thought of when plans are made for accessiblity. (Gatwick airport, i'm looking at you!)

Are they being unreasonable? Or should i just forget about it.

OP posts:

Appletini · 22/05/2014 10:33

We have Stagecoach and their policy is much better:

"Children aged under 16 and those people who, in the opinion of the driver, are vulnerable, at risk or in distress, and unable to pay their fare will be carried at all times providing their name and address can be given in order that the fare due may be collected at a later date together with any reasonable administrative costs.

There is no charge for up to 4 children under 5 years of age when travelling with another responsible passenger providing they do not occupy a seat to the exclusion of a fare paying passenger or are seated in a buggy in an appropriate space on the vehicle. Additional children will be charged as if they were aged 5 or over."

sezamcgregor · 22/05/2014 10:37

I would also save your bus tickets and ask for a refund.

drspouse · 22/05/2014 10:41

If you have any other queries please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Yes we have other queries, why have you got such a stupid policy about those who take the bus (because they can't walk) and who have to take their children with them (because their children can't walk on their own).

Are they afraid that everyone will start sending their toddlers on the bus on their own?

GarlicMayonnaise · 22/05/2014 11:45

Sashh, what a brilliant letter!

Hope you've sent it, Beyond!

Original poster

BeyondWithTwoToddlers · 22/05/2014 12:45

That letter is perfect, I will be sending it and cc'ing the council and my mp

For now though...
twitter.com/psa_mum/status/469442886120259584

OP posts:

sashh · 22/05/2014 13:12

So they're not getting money from the adult so they will from the child instead!!

No they are getting money for both. The local council pays the bus company for every 'generated journey' and the council then claims the money back from government.

What the bus company are doing is charging for a child on top of that.

Yet the rules that were set up when the bus passes were first introduced said the company should be no worse and no better off, so they are breaking the rules.

ProudAS · 22/05/2014 13:18

Yet more proof that bus companies pretend to accommodate disabled people but seem unfamiliar with the Equality act (see my numerous rants re wheelchairs on buses).

The OP's DS is being expected to pay a fare but would not if she was able bodied. Sounds like discrimination to me.

If the bus company can't afford for a disabled parent to take their toddler for free why don't they find a fairer way to recoup the loss e.g. reducing the number of free toddlers per adult from four to three. I am under the impression however that the bus company is reimbursed for carrying disabled pass holders so not losing out as much as it would seem.

Original poster

BeyondWithTwoToddlers · 22/05/2014 13:20

If that is accurate, I hope the council wipe the floor with them. I have a feeling (hope this is wrong) that the council know already though

OP posts:

HenriettaTurkey · 22/05/2014 14:10

All the best with it, Beyond!

Original poster

BeyondWithTwoToddlers · 22/05/2014 15:05

They want to "arrange a meeting to explain pricing policy". That sounds positive

What bugs me is i was expecting to be told aibu, and that its the same in every area. To know that other areas are more understanding though, really makes me want to fight it.

Because I feel like I'm being melodramatic, but it is discrimination, surely?

OP posts:

MoreLifeInATrampsVest · 22/05/2014 15:11

I'm in Oxford and both me and DH have a disabled pass, DC is 20 months and have never been asked to pay for him. I get the bus with him once a week, if not more.

HenriettaTurkey · 22/05/2014 15:12

Yes. They are discrimination against your DS for travelling with someone with a disability.

HenriettaTurkey · 22/05/2014 15:12

Or discriminating, even.

MoreLifeInATrampsVest · 22/05/2014 15:13

and have done since he was 6 weeks old.

jacks365 · 22/05/2014 15:16

Double checked my area and up to 3 children under 5 can travel free with an adult. No mention of the adult paying and they don't enforce the policy either as my older dc have never had to pay for the toddler when they've taken her anywhere.

FriedaMensch · 22/05/2014 15:16

That's outrageous! Tbh I think it is bad enough you can't take both your toddlers free - having to pay for both, when those without a bus pass could take one free is quite obviously discriminatory.

Original poster

BeyondWithTwoToddlers · 22/05/2014 15:30

Are there any areas that do have the same policy?

OP posts:

Neverknowingly · 22/05/2014 16:33

Certainly not mine. Was shocked by reading this so just checked my local bus company (Notts) and up to 4 children under age 5 travel free with an adult passenger. Nothing about the adult having to pay full fare.

drspouse · 22/05/2014 17:01

Manchester Stagecoach:
Up to 4 children under the age of 5 can travel free when accompanied by a responsible passenger, providing that they do not occupy a seat to the exclusion of a fare paying passenger or are seated in a buggy in an appropriate space on the vehicle.

Cumbria/North Lancs Stagecoach:

Children under the age of 5: Up to 3 children under the age of 5 can travel free when accompanied by a responsible adult fare paying passenger

Liverpool/S. Lancs Stagecoach don't advertise their fares for under-5s (There are various leaflets publicised for different areas but the links are broken).

Stagecoach Wigan:
Children aged 16 and under travel at half the adult fare.
(No mention of under-5s).

Seems really to be a postcode lottery.

ProudAS · 22/05/2014 17:08

If all children are charged a fare that's one thing.

If a child is charged because they are with a disabled adult that is another!

Original poster

BeyondWithTwoToddlers · 22/05/2014 17:11

I'm reading the equality act now

I'm fairly sure that by treating a disabled adult differently to a ablebodied one, they are breaking it. Is there any way you can think of that they are getting around this?

OP posts:

Original poster

BeyondWithTwoToddlers · 22/05/2014 17:17

Yy, as I said, I have no issue paying for one child when I have two, as that is their standard policy. It's the idea that as a disabled adult I am somehow less than an ablebodied adult that is getting to me.

OP posts:

NeedsAsockamnesty · 22/05/2014 17:29

YANBU.

If children travelling with anybody else would be free then so should they be when travelling with you

NeedsAsockamnesty · 22/05/2014 17:30

We have under 8's free and half fair until 18

halfdrunktea · 22/05/2014 17:37

Yadnbu! I can't believe you have to pay for him; surely all-under fives should be free.
I'm sure I've seen buss pass holders on the bus here not paying for their grandchildren.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Swipe left for the next trending thread