Forum Topic

Free bus travel for school kids

As part of the emergency funding deal for TfL the government required them to withdraw the free travel deal for under 18s.  The rationale was to prevent overcrowding on public transport but the effect will be most felt by kids from families already struggling financially. And if kids going to and from school aren’t as important as key workers then we do need reexamine our priorities. A petition to get the government to change this restrictive policy has been gaining widespread support. Here is a link: https://www.siobhanbenita.com/freetravel

Jonathan Callaway ● 2106d11 Comments

Oh goodness me, what a fuss!!  Let the kids get the bus for heavens sake.  They drive us all mad with their noise bad behaviour, but if the State or the Council cannot provide free transport for school children to get to school, then what can they do???It's only for an hour in the morning and again in the afternoon, I'd rather complain about all these parents making a fuss about not being able to park their 4x4s outside the school to pick up their little darlings.

Bunny Payne ● 2105d

It is interesting looking back, perhaps not as much as 50, that we have the same large buses, built to do 70mph+ running much the same old routes even though many of the roads are less than 20mph or in reality less than 20mph.It would suggest that we need more frequent, efficient, lighter, greener shuttles to and from transport hubs and the large buses kept for where long routes still make sense.There must be savings/efficiencies that can be made.

Ed Robinson ● 2106d

Very good point Barbara.We don't want girls and boys as young as 11 walking home alone because they haven't got the bus fare be it for financial reasons or just lost etc.And we don't want parents driving them to school either.

Ed Robinson ● 2106d

The walking may be OK in the summer months, but what about in the winter when it's dark. With all the stabbings I'd say better to come home by bus, or children having to walk past commons in the dark. Surely safety comes first.

Barbara Stevens ● 2106d

Ed my post was in response to Lucille and Jonathan's point about kids only riding for 1 or 2 stops and aimed at getting them walking if tge free pass had a limit on it. Sometimes things we did in the past are actually ok for now. You disagree clearly that's fine too.

Andy Pike ● 2106d

I assumed it was government policy to put the clock back 50 years!Many schools 50 years ago had grounds and sports facilities. These days kids have to travel not just to school but also to where the facilities are.

Ed Robinson ● 2106d

I can remember a free bus pass only for kids who lived more than 3 miles (as the crow flies) from school,possibly also those on free dinners.. Was delighted 50 years ago when we moved to Putney from Shepherds Bush that I qualified for one to travel to East Acton for school.Perhaps that's the way forward.

Andy Pike ● 2106d

"The wider issue is about kids who really need their bus pass because they have a longer journey to/from school or FE college."I completely agree Jonathan - secondary & FE pupils travel quite extensively across Wandsworth and also to other boroughs.

Ed Robinson ● 2106d

Hi Lucille, yes I've seen them in the past too.  More than a hint of idleness there!  Most of them then get another bus heading up the Hill or cross over to the mainline station.The wider issue is about kids who really need their bus pass because they have a longer journey to/from school or FE college.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2106d

Jonathan before lockdown I used to  take the 337 bus and  when it was  home time I was staggered by the number of pupils who got on at East Putney only to disembark at Putney Station. Perhaps more kids should use the legs they are born with/cycle to school instead of using public transport for unnecessary journeys?

Lucille Grant ● 2106d

Signed but had to be extremely careful not to sign up to the Liberal Democrats mailing lists etc.There is another one here which is far larger:https://www.change.org/p/transport-for-london-stop-tfl-from-removing-free-travel-for-under-18s

Ed Robinson ● 2106d