London parents, did you know about public transport changes?

[SilverDragonfly1]

If so, apologies for bringing it up again but I haven't noticed it being discussed here.

One of the bailout conditions for TfL is to stop allowing children free travel on buses, meaning you may need to add bus fares into your budget next term. This is temporary, but I can't find any indication of how temporary. I have to admit, free travel was what allowed us to keep above water as a family when my son went to secondary- if it hadn't been there, his first choice school would have really impacted our budget.

If anyone has better info about the decision than me (not hard really), please share.

[Pelleas]

Eventually you reach a point where you can no longer budget. The money just doesn't stretch anymore.

Which is why we would need means-testing.

[stickerqueen]

I never understood why kids were given free travel on buses. When Londoners did have to pay for travel for kids a weekly bus pass was only £4.00 a week.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

When Londoners did have to pay for travel for kids a weekly bus pass was only £4.00 a week would be more now though surely- we’re talking over a decade ago

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Which is why we would need means-testing yes but like I point out, many people, probably myself included, would be on the cusp of just not qualifying and will impact us. Look how much child benefit has screwed over people.

It’s for children not their parents!

[Pelleas]

many people, probably myself included, would be on the cusp of just not qualifying and will impact us

But that would be a fault in the method of means-testing, not the principle of means-testing.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

I was suggesting this from the position of being on an income where I didn't have to budget myself your income without breaking down your outgoings is pointless. But for arguments sake let’s say the limit is 35k and you and two children and it costs £2 a day x 5 days x 4 wks x 2 children, that’s £80 a month. So basically a wks food shop for many families. On top of school lunches, uniform, (and a printer/ computer in awe of lockdown)- thought education was meant to be free.

Fact is removing free child travel just puts more money in the hands of TfL (or equivalent company) and leaves vulnerable children even more exposed.

[Pelleas]

removing free child travel just puts more money in the hands of TfL

Given that TFL are now relying on a government bail out to keep going, is that a bad thing?

[formerbabe]

The problem with means testing is the people who fall just over the line...ie not quite poor enough to qualify.

Those people me always end up so much worse off

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Given that TFL are now relying on a government bail out to keep going, is that a bad thing? under non pandemic circumstances I would say yes, and given how many families have lost their incomes in this pandemic I would say yes. I’m not going to feel sorry for large corporations when millions of
Families are screwed financially.

[formerbabe]

My ds often tells me there's children in his school who go to pay for their lunch only to discover their parent hasn't put any money on their lunch account. These are kids who don't qualify for free school meals.

Now imagine their parent doesn't top up their Oyster card and they live two bus journeys away from their school.

This will affect the working poor the most and could even restrict their children's access to education.

It's a despicable move.

[Pelleas]

A

[Londonmummy66]

I imagine that it is fairly clear from my user name that I have skin in the game. Not a huge amount as DC use the train and tube so we do have to pay for those. However, I think that it is silly to take the free bus travel away as it will mean more parents will drive and more kids will use the already overcrowded tube system - many children take the bus rather than the tube (although the tube is quicker) as the bus is free.

WHat would be far more sensible would have been to have left the children's fares as they are and brought the freedom pass into line - ie free on the buses but half price on the rest of the transport system. At the moment the over 60s get free travel on the tubes and trains as well as the buses whilst the children have to pay.

The COVID crisis is already penalising working parents massively and in part to protect the older generations who are more vulnerable - and it will be us paying for it for decades to come. In the meantime the older generations sit there with their freedom passes barely impacted - just loss of peak time free travel - and their triple locked pensions....

[AveEldon]

www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/free-travel-ban-for-under18s-unlikely-before-end-of-term-a4460686.html#gsc.tab=0

Looks like it will take some time to remove free travel for the under 18s

[CruCru]

Okay I have what is probably a stupid question about this. If we have to pay for children, how do we pay for them? If I am travelling with two children, do I tap my bank card on the reader three times?

Up until now, I haven’t bothered getting a 5-10 zip card for my children because it wasn’t necessary. If it is possible to load those up with funds, perhaps that would be the next thing to do.

[CruCru]

Sorry, I did have a look at the TfL website but it wasn’t totally clear.

[littleducks]

I don't think they know how it will work.

You can't tap same card three time and pay the fares. You can't pay cash.

Buses are now charging here. Not sure if across tfl network or if they are adapting buses route by route. But limited to ten passengers single decker and twenty double decker. Signs up saying to use face coverings too.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Don’t think they have a clue either- have they even confirmed the price of a child’s travel?

[ChristopherTracy]

I think they will say that under 11s are still free but over 11s you will have to top up their zip cards. But speculation. If it is all children then they will all have to have the 5-10 card obvs.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Top up yes but how much is a child’s fare?

[cyclingmad]

You can think of TfL as a large corporation but just remeber it makes no profit. All money earned from fares etc. Is reinvested back into London.

Until the bailout TfL was the only transport system in the world not to be given government funds...just think about that for a second. So whilst people moan fares are high compared to elsewhere maybe you might now understand why.

And if TfL was to fail it has no legal obligation to carry on running the tube or buses. Yes you heard that right it doesnt.

TfL delivers what the mayor wants so if air quality is at the foo of the agenda which ismt has been for sadiq and one way to reduce dilution is less cars and a emissions tax is the decision that what TfL will deliver. Boris made cycling his central agenda when he was mayor and cycle lanes popped up everywhere.

[SilverDragonfly1]

There is now a petition about this issue.

www.change.org/p/boris-johnson-suspended-children-s-free-bus-pass?recruiter=1081365145&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=psf_combo_share_initial&recruited_by_id=90f11f50-8731-11ea-be7c-e7c9f7fa6218&utm_content=fht-22349107-en-gb%3Av12

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Thanks OP I’ve signed and shared

[AveEldon]

@OnlyFoolsnMothers

Top up yes but how much is a child’s fare?

A child fare is usually half an adult fare

Currently....
5-10 years are free on buses & trams
Free on tube with an adult.
National rail varies - some it's free with an adult, some they need the zipcard.
The zipcard allows them to travel for free without an adult on the tube and rail

11-15 zipcard- free on buses & trams, half adult fare on tube and rail

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Yes so if they are no longer free on buses would that be half an adult fare?