good time to take the grand kids out?

Thank you.
That's good. Not just for children to enjoy going places with parents, but also for younger teenagers to meet up with friends and socialise.
Some of our DGC live in rural parts, but I have to say the buses to the coast here are frequent and reliable.

And who is paying for this?
Any concern for for providing basic services for inhabitants of rural areas country wide with scant availability of bus services to nearby towns to access NHS, Dentistry, opticians, and shopping?

And the most important thing of all, travel to and from work and education.

Agree. Our rural DGC travel free by bus to school. Personally, I think that should be available to all children too, irrespective of distance. TfL is good for that.

This does seem an excellent initiative, particularly for children and young people who do not have a parent with a car readily available to take them to school, to friends, and to activities.

PS this scheme above is only for August.

The free travel for August goes hand in hand with the cheaper entrance to attractions as the government has waved the VAT on tickets.

eazybee

And who is paying for this?
Any concern for for providing basic services for inhabitants of rural areas country wide with scant availability of bus services to nearby towns to access NHS, Dentistry, opticians, and shopping?

I don't know the details of the child subsidy for August but it sounds good. As to rural services you're right eazybee. Most are shocking. Even decent sized villages with schools, shops, pubs have scant bus services and smaller places have nothing. If you were born there and want to stay then it's a hard slog if you don't or can't drive. There is often only a poor taxi service. However if you chose to live there (appeal of countryside, village school etc) it's a fact of life for those in rural areas and something everyone thinking of a "move to the country" should think twice about. Without a car you are stranded in between the bus service (if any) or community transport (if any). People often can't imagine a time when they may not be able to drive. The Beeching Axe put paid to thousands of branch railway lines and the government of 1980-1985 deregulated bus services so "unprofitable" routes - mostly in rural areas - were scrapped. It's not for everyone I know but city and large town living is much more suitable for elderly people in my opinion. Museums, galleries, theatres, cafés not to mention hospitals, GPs, Podiatrists and all the stuff some of us need regularly.

So true Seapebble. My plans to downsize are very much around the availability of public transport and essential services nearby. I still drive, and where I live at the moment I couldn't do much of what I currently do without a car. My non-driving friends are dependant on those of us who drive to get them to everything but I'd hate to be so dependant. I drive for the local 'Good Neighbour Scheme' giving lifts to hospital appointments etc and the demand is quite high, as well as from friends asking for lifts to social events. I have a bus pass but have mostly used it when visiting family in a city as the buses locally don't go to the places I need to go. When I moved here 23 years ago there were regular buses from the end of our road into town but now the nearest stop is much further away and buses very infrequent!

Here in Scotland, we have free bus travel for everyone aged five to 21 (as well as us oldies!)

My questions are - are there enough buses ? are there enough drivers?
so many routes have been cut

Before this , I've been on a bus where 4 people occupied 8 seats . I can't blame the kids for their lack of manners as the adult carers allowed 2 kids to occupy 2 seats have never probably told their offspring how to use public transport.

Personally I think it is a bad idea as the adults in charge have few manners ( I've sat next to a few people who got quite upset when I've asked them to move their bags from the seats so I could sit down ) . I just hope the teachers spent a hour explaining bus etiquette before the schools broke up for the summer.

ViceVersa

Here in Scotland, we have free bus travel for everyone aged five to 21 (as well as us oldies!)

And it seems to work for most, most of the time. It's encouraging to see young people using the bus to get to work or college. Our DGC have used buses a lot since they have had their bus passes, and it has given them freedom which they wouldn't otherwise have had. OK, there are instances of antisocial behaviour, but not all from bus pass users. The louts would no doubt be behaving antisocially whether they were on buses or not.

The buses are also well used by oldies, including us. It all helps to keep bus routes open for everyone. I hope those of you in England will get the benefit of the holiday offer and enjoy days out with the DGC!

This os from 1 to 31 August and children 16 and under in London have free and discounted bus travel all year round.

Wheniwasyourage
Yes, many young people are benefiting from the free bus pass. Sadly though a lot are not using it responsibly, causing chaos on one route, getting off, then jumping on another to cause chaos again. Many older people are not travelling after 5 pm even those working desperate to get home before the youngsters start having their "night out". I for one will not go near a bus station now in the evening all due to youngsters roaming about in groups. Basicalky for many youths buses have become recreation areas who have no respect for other bus users and drivers.

I'm afraid a moan from me but not about young people on the bus. I've generally found them respectful and helpful. It about fit adults occupying seats reserved for people who need extra help ie older people or those with a disability. Looking the other way when an elderly person needs to sit down or taking up a double seat with shopping bags or cases . No understanding of priorities or common courtesy.
Fortunately most people aren't like this but sadly many are. I've now resorted to asking to sit down but feel I shouldn't have to!

Don't knock yourself out , they won't even remember it when they are teenagers and never visit you

jakuss

Don't knock yourself out , they won't even remember it when they are teenagers and never visit you

Maybe that's your experience, but I bet there's many on here who would disagree.

I'm not holding my breath regarding the free August bus travel for children in my area. Our bus company (Stagecoach) doesnt even do half-fares for children in this area - under fives go free, but full fare, albeit capped at £3 each way, after that, the same as adults!

That has meant that if I want to take the two DGC into town and back, it costs me £12, and that is just for two of us, as the younger one can still travel free (thank goodness)..

ViceVersa

Here in Scotland, we have free bus travel for everyone aged five to 21 (as well as us oldies!)

I would like to see this in England.

jakuss

Don't knock yourself out , they won't even remember it when they are teenagers and never visit you

What a very pessimistic response, our two youngest grandchildren are 16 and 17 and they spend time with us during the school and college holidays.