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.

[sashh]

One of my best friends is from Blackpool, I spent my teenage years in one of the other towns I mentioned and spent some time in the other two.

I'm not making assumptions.

[windmill26]

@Porcupineinwaiting

Londoners having to actually pay a realistic amount for public transport rather than soaking up the nations subsidies. Shocking! Seriously, check your privilege.

Really? WOW...shall we start with the amount of tax money from Londoners that subsidies the rest of the Country?

[Porcupineinwaiting]

Yes let's. Then we can continue onto the country's wealth being concentrated in the se (by policy, it's not just a happy accident or something that came about because Londoners are so much better than anyone else) and the damage that does.

I was born and grew up in London btw.

[windmill26]

Another thing,my son's school wasn't our first choice it was the 4th on the list specifically because it is a 50 minutes walk door to door each way. Our first choice is 15 minutes walk away. Our council thought that was OK for him to walk that far as they are the one that allocate schools places.If was OUR choice he would have to walk 15 minutes and not walk 50 minutes in the morning and take 2 buses to get home after school.

[windmill26]

I am not saying that Londoners are better. I would rather that tax money raised in London gets spent in services for London .

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Why are people so aggressive towards Londoners, when I hear of issues affecting other parts of the country have empathy, I don’t decide whether to agree or disagree based on geography.

London zoo opens again and I would love to take my three year old who like all children has done close to fuck all this year.
For just her and I
Ticket cost: £27.27 + £17.74
Congestion’s charge either £11.50- £15 after June 22nd
Low emissions charge £12.50
Cost of zoo parking £25

I appreciate under usual circumstances I could take public transport but that’s still schleping a preschooler to the train station, on 2 tubes and then a walk through a long park.
So we can’t go because it’s £97.51 just to go.
I earn ok, not amazing- but I can’t afford this. The idea that all Londoners are in million pound houses, higher rate tax earners who reap the benefits of London transport and attractions is bullshit.

[Malmontar]

Most London kids don't actually reap the benefits of the 'local' attractions unless on a school trip. Many many families can't afford the tube let alone entry to the zoo. I've lived in London all my life and have never been to madam Tussauds or London eye or tower of London etc etc. I went to london zoo as a nanny and my eyes watered at the till.

I could probably afford it now but I'd rather spend £100 on something useful.
Im completely with you @OnlyFoolsnMothers. I remember learning about boscastle floods and feeling so sorry for them. Me and my friends wrote letters to local councils who decided their small towns aren't worth enough to invest in flood or coastal defences. How do you put a price tag on someone's life. For some, this is the same as travel. The only way some kids get to escape abusive homes or take a break is by catching a bus and just going somewhere. You are kidding yourself if you think these parents will pay, even if it's 0.75p and even the ones that would, surely they would need some extra time to plan this into their budget. London is extortionate, you can't compare your bus fare to ours. With that comparison also take into consideration our housing, our car and our food. Someone working a job in Wilko for eg earns the same in inner London as they do in Leeds. I'll let you guess who is able to enjoy more of their money.

I wouldn't hesitate to back your local transport appeal if it meant improving it for kids. I cannot understand why on earth you wouldn't do the same.

[Malmontar]

And if you are so against it in the hopes it creates money for other areas, you are kidding yourself if you think that will happen.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

And just to add TFL has nearly 600 employees on over 100k a year- the money they will be stealing from children and poorer households only lines their pockets.

[Lordfrontpaw]

Yes - it does seem like a very lucrative job. The TGWU are very good - or bad I suppose depending if they are your union or not. Unline the GMB (bad)

[Stircrazyschoolmum]

Apologies if this is up thread and I’ve missed it, but has this actually happened? There is no mention of it on the TFL website and I’m pretty sure I wasn’t charged for DD (10) on the bus yesterday?

[ChristopherTracy]

September we think StirCrazy

[Stircrazyschoolmum]

Thank you!

[SerenityNowwwww]

Yup September but the congestion zone change is already done.