Children to get free bus travel

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4090622.stm

Under 16s are to travel for free on London buses and trams from September.



Mayor Ken Livingstone has announced children under 14 will automatically be allowed on buses but 14 to 16-year-olds will need to apply for Oyster cards.

The Assembly's Conservatives oppose the scheme saying it is an "unaffordable luxury" which will cost £50m in lost revenue - 5% of income from buses.

The Liberal Democrats welcomed the move but warned there could be more fare dodging as a result.

Mr Livingstone said: "Free travel for under 16 year olds is a radical investment in London's future.

Helping families

"It will help hundreds of thousands of families across the capital and make visiting London's many attractions more affordable."

He also said free travel for under 16s would cut congestion, pollution and accidents.

He stated that if there is bad behaviour Transport for London (TfL) reserve the right to cancel a card.

Children can apply for their cards now and anyone who receives their card before 1 August can use it immediately - giving an extra month's free travel.

<!-- S IBOX --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sibtbg> Millions of pounds are lost each year to people who are breaking the law


Lib Dem's Geoff Pope

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Conservative Roger Evans said: "At a time when passengers are enduring 20% increases in bus fares, this scheme is a unaffordable luxury.

"I am sure we would all like our transport system to be free but that simply isn't realistic."

The Lib Dem transport spokesman Geoff Pope said: "The mayor and TfL must raise their game when it comes to catching adults who use child tickets on the public transport network.

"Millions of pounds are lost each year to people who are breaking the law." Motoring organisation RAC welcomed the move and said it will help reduce congestion during the school run.

[Fusen]

wtf its fucking £1.20 for >16 already now it'll most likely go up again, fucking hate ken

[TwoPlAnKs]

here it is £2 for a single adult into town, about 7 miles. for £3 you can take the megabus (like a normal bus but very cheap and with extra piss stains on the seats) from aberdeen to glasgow. a fucking pisstake.

we always used to go onto the bus "half return to union street please" then come back with clinking bags of drink with our child tickets, enourmous fun