Free bus travel for under 18s

[the trainbasher]

In the Express and Star today, George Galloway is backing a campaign for free under 18 bus  travel

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport/2019/09/17/free-bus-travel-campaign-backed/

Normally I would agree with the chap, but today I don't at all agree with him

[Stu]

In the Express and Star today, George Galloway is backing a campaign for free under 18 bus  travel

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport/2019/09/17/free-bus-travel-campaign-backed/

Normally I would agree with the chap, but today I don't at all agree with him

To be honest, he's a bit hit and miss with me too (mostly miss though). I note with interest he's referred to as 'West Bromwich East parliamentary candidate', which is news to me. (For what party?)

I make no apologies if my comment comes across as 'political', but these groups with names ending in 'worker' are usually hard-socialist / communist movements, which is typified by their use of the word 'demand' in their statement.

"We demand free stuff!"

I'lll agree with you though Mr Trainbasher, nobody ever thinks about how these 'free stuff' schemes is actually going to be funded.

As things stand, and as the E&S point out in their article, the WMCA already subsidies bus companies so that children can pay discounted fares.

The thing is there is no such thing as "free". What one person doesn't pay for (ie "gets for free") somebody else has to pay to cover that cost, usually either the taxpayer - in increased subsidies paid for through council tax - or regular users of that service - in increased adult fares/passes.

There are already enough people who think they have some god-given right to free bus travel (ie fare-dodgers and fraudsters), so while I think 'free travel for all under 18s' is a bad idea, I do think there could be allowances for free travel passes to be offered depending on circumstances, for example for children whose parents are on unemployment benefit or disability allowances. Certainly those that can afford to pay should do.

[Ginger66]

Galloway wants to take on Watson.

Why should the snowflakes get freebies.   

[Oozells]

Why should the snowflakes get freebies.

I didn't know Donald Trump was a member of this forum!