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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think bus passes for all under 25s is a fab idea

194 replies

jnfrrss · 12/04/2018 08:12

Around here the bus is so expensive that it's cheaper to run a car but many young people can't afford that while saving for a deposit. This is a really good policy by labour imo. I would also restore the bus pass to JSA people as that is really needed.

OP posts:
NapQueen · 12/04/2018 08:13

Good idea.

KC225 · 12/04/2018 08:14

Good idea

Farahilda · 12/04/2018 08:15

Who pays for it?

For example, Freedom Passes are paid for out of council tax. Is this going to be another local expense?

PotteringAlong · 12/04/2018 08:16

So what are you getting rid of to pay for this? Where’s the money coming from?

woolythoughts · 12/04/2018 08:16

So the motorist has to pay again through higher road tax.

Sorry, not a good idea.

ghostyslovesheets · 12/04/2018 08:17

great idea - would really help young people

Road tax isn't a thing by the way

hibbledibble · 12/04/2018 08:18

I disagree.

I also disagree with free fares for under 18s in London. It's massively abused, a lot of antisocial behaviour, overcrowding on buses from teens who take it 2 stops rather than walking, and it encourages childhood obesity. I would far rather under 18s pay a nominal amount.

SquirmOfEels · 12/04/2018 08:19

"I would also restore the bus pass to JSA people as that is really needed."

There is a JSA Plus travel (discount rather than totally free?) card in London.

Is that also paid for from CouncilmTax revenue?

Because if it is, there"/ no reason whatsoever that they cannot exist everywhere. You need to lobby your council now, so they know that it's a spending priority that they need to make happen.

There's no need to wait for a change of central Government to get your council to do what some councils are already doing. They've made priorities which fund travel (even in lean times). So could yours.

Timeforabiscuit · 12/04/2018 08:21

Younger people are no longer owning or driving cars at the same rate as previous years - however id like to know what is going to be gained by delivering the scheme?

Bus services have been stripped back up and down the country, so those could most benefit rurally wont benefit as much as urban areas.

madsiemoomoo · 12/04/2018 08:21

People don't just drive because buses are expensive (it's still cheaper than running a car) They drive because buses are (mostly) shite, unreliable and inconvenient!

I could take a bus from point A to B but it will take the best part of an hour and a half (as it requires two buses, and timing is assuming bus 1 is on time so I don't miss bus 2) or I could hop in the car and be there in 20 minutes

5foot5 · 12/04/2018 08:22

TBH even a free bus pass isn't going to be a lot of use in some areas. If the service is poor they may still have to get a car.

DD is lucky she can get a bus to work but occasionally it is unreliable. Though she is thinking of cycling during the summer at least while saving for a car.

Timeforabiscuit · 12/04/2018 08:23

I didnt realise that under 18 travel was free in London!

Agree that there is absolutely nothing stopping this being implemented by local councils if a case can be made and its supported by local councillors - if you think this scheme is worth more than say childrens centres, then get campaigning!

Glug44 · 12/04/2018 08:24

For under 25s even expensive bus journies are cheaper than running a car. Buses can be very inconvenient and unreliable; make them more reliable, make them more direct i.e fewer stops, and people may be more likely to use them.

WeirdCatLady · 12/04/2018 08:25

And who’s going to pay for this freebie?

Scrowy · 12/04/2018 08:26

It wouldn't work in rural areas as there's aren't any buses to get in the first place. It would essentially be irrelevant to a huge proportion of young people in those areas who have no other option than to run a car or rely on parents.

This in areas where young people are already priced out of the local villages they have grown up in resulting in village schools and services are closing, and further requiring people to travel for shopping, education and work and requiring a car to do so.

It's not surprising Labour tend to struggle to get seats in rural areas, and I say that as someone who is pretty left leaning.

FleurDelacoeur · 12/04/2018 08:27

Who is paying for this? I'm not a fan of dishing out freebies universally just because people are a certain age, irrespective of other factors.

Timeforabiscuit · 12/04/2018 08:27

As an aside - i really fucking hate this time of year, I should start an office sweepstake of the most ill thought through initiative.

Its like if your dh came home and said "WE CAN HAVE A JACUZZI" and its left to you install, maintain, stop the two year old pissing in it and clean the bugger.

CrumbliestFlakiest · 12/04/2018 08:28

I think it could be a good idea. Fewer cars on the road too. It would need to be properly funded so that it had a positive impact on bus services though, not like the underfunded free nursery hours which has meant nurseries having to penny pinch elsewhere. Bus companies would have to be able to respond to the increase in passengers with more and better services. They'd also have to keep the service pleasant enough to use for those people who are paying full fares to retain their custom and not push them back into cars!

BellsaRinging · 12/04/2018 08:29

Doesn't help young people living rurally-our bus service is 3 times a day and impossible to use is you have a job with 9-5 hours. Rural poverty/lack of public transport needs addressing at least as urgently. Free bus passes are no good if there is no bus service!

Flampingu · 12/04/2018 08:31

So a 25 year old, regardless of income would travel free? That’s utterly unfair, why are they more worthy than say 30 year olds?!

I’d rather see better benefits for the disabled.

maggienolia · 12/04/2018 08:31

In rural areas, absolutely not.
Every person not paying = less revenue for bus operators = routes aren't profitable = service is cut further back or more likely lost for good.
Council subsidies definitely won't be raised round here.

ForTheLoveOfSleep · 12/04/2018 08:32

It's a rediculous idea.

13-18 year olds in full time education, yes.

Pensioner bus passes I can just about get behind (though it should be means tested).

People in receipt of JSA/UC already get thier travel costs to the jobcentre reimbursed, surely a free bus pass is just another incentive not to work?

U25s?! Hmm just no.

EveningHare · 12/04/2018 08:33

Road tax isn't a thing by the way

I hate this, of course it's a bloody road tax, you can't drive on the roads without it

Its a road tax, a car tax whatever you want to call it

SleepFreeZone · 12/04/2018 08:34

Bringing back military service for under 25s will be the Tory alternative 😂

cariadlet · 12/04/2018 08:36

I wonder if it would reduce the number of young drivers and if that in turn would reduce the number of road accidents. Could be a good thing if properly funded and bus services in rural areas and small towns were improved.