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Free teen bus passes criticised Free teen bus passes criticised
(about 4 hours later)
Calls to give teenagers free bus travel have been roundly criticised amid fears of anti-social behaviour.Calls to give teenagers free bus travel have been roundly criticised amid fears of anti-social behaviour.
Labour MP David Chaytor is calling for a nationwide scheme to benefit people under the age of 21 who are in education and training.Labour MP David Chaytor is calling for a nationwide scheme to benefit people under the age of 21 who are in education and training.
But critics have cited London, where a scheme for teenagers up to 18 has seen a rise in violence and graffiti.But critics have cited London, where a scheme for teenagers up to 18 has seen a rise in violence and graffiti.
The transport workers' union Unite warned free passes would put the safety of passengers and drivers at risk.The transport workers' union Unite warned free passes would put the safety of passengers and drivers at risk.
'Spat at''Spat at'
Peter Kavanagh from Unite said the scheme had put his members, buses and passengers in danger.Peter Kavanagh from Unite said the scheme had put his members, buses and passengers in danger.
"There's a spectrum which at one end does involve our members being spat at, punched at, kicked, bricks through windows."There's a spectrum which at one end does involve our members being spat at, punched at, kicked, bricks through windows.
"And at the other end of the spectrum of course is the unruly and anti-social behaviour that unfortunately some young people do engage in.""And at the other end of the spectrum of course is the unruly and anti-social behaviour that unfortunately some young people do engage in."
It makes obvious sense in terms of encouraging young people to use the bus and the train more David ChaytorLabour MPIt makes obvious sense in terms of encouraging young people to use the bus and the train more David ChaytorLabour MP
Clarissa Williams, the vice president of the National Association of Head Teachers, warned the passes must come with conditions.Clarissa Williams, the vice president of the National Association of Head Teachers, warned the passes must come with conditions.
"Most young people will behave and use the passes responsibly. There will be those, however, who misuse them," she said."Most young people will behave and use the passes responsibly. There will be those, however, who misuse them," she said.
"I would suggest that they would have to apply for the passes with a written parental guarantee that should their child not behave on the bus, then that pass will be withdrawn.""I would suggest that they would have to apply for the passes with a written parental guarantee that should their child not behave on the bus, then that pass will be withdrawn."
But the MP for Bury North, David Chaytor, said there were clear benefits for free or subsidised travel on buses.But the MP for Bury North, David Chaytor, said there were clear benefits for free or subsidised travel on buses.
Crime is committed by only a small minority, and we are working extremely hard to tackle this element Transport for London
"It makes obvious sense in terms of encouraging young people to use the bus and the train more, to reduce congestion on our roads and of course to help with the problem of climate change by reducing pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.""It makes obvious sense in terms of encouraging young people to use the bus and the train more, to reduce congestion on our roads and of course to help with the problem of climate change by reducing pollution and carbon dioxide emissions."
A Transport for London spokesman said its buses were a "safe and reliable" way to travel.
"Crime is committed by only a small minority, and we are working extremely hard to tackle this element," he said.
"This approach is working. The latest figures show that bus crime involving suspects under 16 has gone down by 19% in the first six months of this year."