Skip to main content

London mayor calls for continued free travel for Under-18s

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has urged the government to allow Under-18s to continue to get free travel after demands for its withdrawal were made part of £ 1.6 billion lockdown bailout conditions. The children are currently entitled to Oyster cards allowed free or cut price travel, depending on their age.

The mayor has reckoned that stopping it under the social-distancing guidelines on overcrowding would hit the poorest hardest, according to a BBC report. 

The government had indicated that it was working with transport authorities to reduce demand. The Transport for London previously announced that free travel for children would temporary end under conditions of the government's continuing £ 1.6 billion deal. 

In exchange for the emergency funding, transport bosses also agreed to start collecting fares again on buses, restore a full tube service as soon as possible, and temporarily suspend free travel for over-60s during morning peak hours. The congestion charge was also brought back earlier this month and it will be subject to a rise in cost, from June 22.

In a letter to the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, the mayor of London observed that while he agreed with the need to reduce the numbers of children using bus services in particular but felt suspending free travel was not the right thing to do. 

"It is abundantly clear that losing free travel would hit the poorest Londoners hardest at a time when finances are stretched more than ever," he wrote. 

The transport department has also calculated that about 30% of children who currently travel by bus to school would still be eligible statutorily for free travel, according to the mayor. 

He added that the significant cost of this would fall on local boroughs while also undermining the effectiveness of introducing bus fares for children as a way of reducing bus usage.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

KDSP: Empowering Individuals with Down Syndrome in Karachi

The Karachi Down Syndrome Program (KDSP), a beacon of hope and support, is making significant strides in empowering individuals with Down syndrome in the city. Founded in March 2014 by a group of passionate parents and individuals, KDSP addresses the critical need for comprehensive resources and platforms for those with Down syndrome in Karachi. Bridging the Gap: A Mission of Advocacy and Inclusion KDSP operates as a non-profit organization with a clear mission: to advocate for the value, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome. Recognizing the limited support and resources available locally, KDSP was established to provide a nurturing environment where individuals with Down syndrome can lead independent and fulfilling lives. A Lifelong Journey of Support Understanding the unique needs of individuals with Down syndrome and their families, KDSP offers unwavering support from the moment a family receives a diagnosis.  They embark on a journey with each family, pro...
Post a Comment
Read more

China’s top advisory body meets

By Masood Sattar Khan (Pakistan News & Features Services) The third annual session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opened on May 21, after being delayed for more than two months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Much is expected of this year's session of China's top political advisers as the country's goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects is expected to be realized by the end of this year, which is also the final year of the country's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20).  The CPPCC National Committee gathers the country's smartest minds from different walks of life.  Their ideas have contributed a great deal to what this country has achieved in its endeavors in poverty alleviation, in making progress in all fields for the realization of the goal of building China into a moderately prosperous country in all aspects. And so have their inputs into the fight against the novel co...
Post a Comment
Read more

KPT celebrates Arfa Karim Day with great enthusiasm

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi (Pakistan News & Features Services) On the occasion of  the second death anniversary of the youngest Microsoft expert and the Pakistani icon, Arfa Karim, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) organized a harbour cruise for students alongwith Mrs Samina Amjad, mother of late Arfa. Speaking on the occasion, Samina Amjad highlighted the goals set forth by the Arfa Karim Foundation and said that her daughter wanted to bring about a revolution in the field of education using IT as a tool, for imparting quality education to under privileged students particularly in rural areas of Pakistan. This, she pointed out, was even shared by Arfa with international and national media interactions as her daughter has always dreamt big in her short life.  The Arfa Karim Foundation is striving hard to preserve her complete legacy and moving forward to persue her dreams, Samina told the gathering adding that with this objective in v...
Post a Comment
Read more