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

[BeyondWithTwoToddlers]

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.

option A: make life BETTER for disabled parents by letting their accompanying children travel free, because people with disabilities may have to take the bus for short journeys which would otherwise be walkable

option B: treat disabled parents the SAME as all other parents, ignoring the fact that their disability imposes extra burdens on them (see example above regarding walkable distances)

option C: treat disabled parents WORSE than other parents by charging their toddlers when all other toddlers travel free

So, Newport, which option did you select?

I sympathise. I just wanted to say my recent experience at Gatwick was brilliant because they provide free strollers to get you from the gate to baggage claim. They can also be linked if you need a double. Just look out for them or ask someone, they are turquoise so quite easy to spot.

My response included my maths above, and asked if he would agree that they are getting addition income from me as a disabled parent. Copies of that email then sent to both newport mps.

I have a few disability charities on the case looking at the discrimination aspect.

Thanks to everyone who gets it btw

(Oh and ilove, the buggy racks were empty)

not read the whole thread so sorry if i'm repeating something already said but think this must just be your council deciding this. My mum has a free bus pass through being 62 and she takes DS out on the bus quite alot, he under 5 so goes for free. Its something they do for a free fun afternoon out, go riding on the bus!!

No response yet, dont imagine I'll get one til Monday now though

BeyondWithTwoToddlers
Stagecoach is my local bus company, I don't have children but I don't think I've ever seen parents/carers of under 5s charged a fare. There might well be something about them moving the children if a fare-paying passenger needs a seat but the buses I travel on are rarely full and people usually move their children before being asked when occasionally they are full.

Under the Equalities Act 2010 would secondary discrimination apply to you and your child/ren in this case as well as direct descrimination?

indirect discrimination - putting rules or arrangements in place that apply to everyone, but that put someone with a protected characteristic at an unfair disadvantage

From here:

www.gov.uk/discrimination-your-rights/how-you-can-be-discriminated-against

I don't understand how they can charge someone using a disability related concession when they don't charge someone who is not using one! Presumably this policy costs you money that it wouldn't if you were not disabled.

I've just received confirmation that from tomorrow, adult passengers can take two under fives on the bus for free, including concessionary pass holders!

Woop!!

We'll Done!!!! Assume you are the OP. So impressed with your campaign skills.

Well done

Well done, Beyond. That's a brilliant result.

Well done to Sashh too for that fantastic letter.

Yes, thank you sashh and everyone for helping (yes I am the op)
Bloody typical that my motability car is coming next month though!!

OH well done you. A very good result.
I am in receipt of a travel pass ( senior citizen ) and it covers bus, steam train and electric railway. I spend a lot of time with my grandchildren ( both under 4 years old ) riding on the trains for free.

Congratulations again ( Are they giving you any money back ? or is that an ask too far ? )

Yeah op. Good work