Forum Topic

TfL to charge children £10 for a free bus pass

It was reported on July 23 that TfL have decided they will now charge each applicant, whether child aged 5 or student 18+ £10 to process the Zip Card Oyster application.  Of course this arbitrary measure is all part of the new regime of save costs or at least disburse the costs to where there is no comeback.What happens if this is a major burden for a low income family in Ealing?  Do they deprive the children of other essentials or just opt not to apply for the pass and rely on the fact that their children should not be turfed off a bus because the child is then vulnerable.  I do not fancy the average bus driver acting as the decision maker in this scenario on a regular basis.Many children change appearance considerably as puberty kicks in, so having got the pass for the 11-16 age group, is there a further charge when a responsible parent seeks a renewed photo to reflect the child?I don't think this is a charge that should be imposed without major consultation.  I also think once the charge is in place, the fee level will rise over the years.  Do we accept a charge at all?  If we do, should there be some safeguard to protect the children whose carers are on little income?

Colin Izzard ● 5901d10 Comments

I confess to struggle as to why children should get a free bus pass. A £10 admin fee seems a good start.

David Eales ● 5901d

I think that bus passes for children should be free, but restricted to a certain amount of rides per year, to deter them from jumping on for one stop, there are so many overweight children/teenagers, they should be walking more.

Margaret sheehan ● 5901d

"there are so many overweight children/teenagers, they should be walking more."Of course, one result of charging for bus fares would be to increase the number of children driven to school, which doesn't exactly help anyone.  Not everyone lives within walking distance of school these days, by any means.

Thomas Barry ● 5901d

"Not everyone lives within walking distance of school these days, by any means."I disagree - certainly primary schools should be in walking distance. If people make a choice and live a long way from the school then so be it - but I don't see why everyone should bear the cost of that choice.

David Eales ● 5901d

Colin, that,s a really useful and kind post. Yes dead right  it should be consulted on and not during the school holidays and the decision makers and proposers should appear all over London to explain along with boxes of sqashy tomatoes so they can really feel the mood of the audience. As for travelling to schools and choice,,,well it isn't that easy for many. The plans I saw from the regeneration team 4 months ago meant that everyone would have to travel out of central and west Ealing for an education.

Arthur Breens ● 5901d

Choice is the slogan at election time and within a year the opposition will spout it

Peter Chadburn ● 5901d

Are you sure that the £10 charge applies where benefits are in payment?Evidence?

George Knox ● 5901d

I like the response that perhaps there should be some sort of limitation on free rides to discourage reckless over use when walking is the sensible option.It is known that some local schools have a walk to school day that is very successful whereas others do not publicise any success.Arthur is spot on that the news is released just when the chance of organised opposition through parents in consultation at the school gates is minimised by the long holidayIs there more than one agenda here?Shashi Verma, TfL's Director of Fares and Ticketing, said:'We also hope the fee will help increase the sense of responsibility that users have for their cards.'There was also a surprise on notes to editors - Non-London residents are also able to apply for a Zip Oyster photocard (for school children between 5 and 18-years-old) and are also subject to the £10 administration fee. Previously this payment was converted to credit for travel, however it will now be used towards the costs of producing the cardCaroline Pidgeon, GLA member has said ”I understand that TfL have to look at cost savings but any change needs to be fair.   Given that two fifths of children across London live in poverty TfL should exempt this charge to children and young people who are entitled to free school meals."So without penalising all parents, there is some discretion intended towards a limited range of families but not as wide as all that receive varied benefits.  I have not seen any formal TfL response to the suggestion.

Colin Izzard ● 5900d

''Tfl should exempt this charge to those on free school meals'' hardly fair to all the people that work hard pay taxes and still find it hard financialy. Just another example of how this country look after people living on benefits, but keeps taking from those that get out of bed and work, sometimes for very little.

Marie Shelly ● 5900d

Perhaps the "free" element should be limited to those routes between home, school, and school facilities.

Alan Brainsby ● 5900d