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Not looking forward to it.
My feedback thread is here.
I used to commute from Sidcup in Kent to Potters Bar in Herts every day by train-tube-train. That sucked satans chod.
Commuting stinks. One day I will escape it.
To make a blanket assertion about denying free bus travel to London ALL schoolkids, based on your own observations of what from your description seems like odd behaviour of SOME kids, it cuts no ice with me.
Firstly, not all kids are exercise-averse either. Neither do they waddle as a general rule.
I'd just like to remind you of what you said about parental choice earlier.
It takes many forms. For instance children at grammar schools and faith schools often travel further because they or their parents want that kind of school. Similarly the privately educated often travel the furthest of the lot in London. Do we deny them free travel? Admittedly, some might gleefully do so.
What about children in special schools, which being fewer in number often see pupils travelling miles (and at greater expense) to get there? Of course some of these children need a paid chaperone to get safely to these schools. Some take taxis which adds to congestion further. I think at least we can agree that in a humane world we shouldn't axe the special buses which take severely disabled boys and girls to school.
I know of parents who 'choose' to send their kids to a school further away than they'd like because the local school is a faith school and they either can't get in, not being religious, or they don't want that kind of education for their child. There are also parents who choose (or should we look at it another way and say 'feel compelled'?) to send their children to schools further away because they perceive the local school to not be good enough. Sometimes these fears are backed up by OFSTED judgements. I sympathise with the 'support your local school' brigade, but parents think with the heart as well as the head. As a parent if your local school was rated 'failing' but a place was available at one further away that's 'outstanding'- yes even over this 40 minutes away rule- what would you do?
Then there are parents I know whose children have special educational needs and who can be educated in the mainstream. But nonetheless those parents have to choose carefully the right setting for their child. Sometimes the nearest schools won't do. So the parents of the lad I know with Aspergers, who were bowled over by the can do attitude of the Free School more than 40 mins away, and where he seems content and thriving: should he be denied free travel? They chose the school admittedly, but they didn't choose to be in the position of having to cast about to find the school that's the right fit for him. I'm sure in an ideal world they'd have loved him to go to the school just up the road, but if it doesn't inspire confidence in them why should we criticise them?
I could go on. It may still annoy you greatly to have to subsidise the travel of any or all of the children in these few categories I've described for all I know. However there are many, many reasons why a lot of London kids have longish 'commutes' of their own, most of which are, on balance, I suspect valid.
There will always be naughty and lazy children. They are a minority, however. It is worth putting up with a few herberts, in order to ensure that the majority can use the bus if they so choose, especially in the winter months. I'd say that's a price worth paying. And at any rate the cost to the individual tax payer really is pennies.
Have a good weekend.
Peace.
Off the top of my head I can think of at least 9 state secondary schools within 3 miles of where I live in London - including faith schools if you want those or want to avoid them. There are probably a more schools that I'm not aware of. There is plenty of choice there without needing to send kinds further away than that. 3 miles is walkable for an able bodied kid of 13 plus.
I'd still give them a discounted rate but it shouldn't be free.
So sayeth the Lord.
Anything else you'd care to add?
Compulsory wearing of shorts in the winter?
Baggy hopsack trousers?
Caster oil with every meal?
A good caning for minor indiscretions?
Luckily we live in the real world, and plenty of kids enjoy free bus travel at your expense.
Toodleoo old bean.
It's just that we have a massive air pollution and obesity crisis and 50% of car journeys (or something like that) are under 3 miles and most of them really should be walked or cycled. At the moment our kids are getting the idea that it is normal to use motorised transport for short journeys.
My feedback thread is here.
I'd avoid the school run times though - those can be a bit noisy for us old'uns.
And of course you're stuffed when they break down. Or there's a stuck level crossing. Or a broken down freight train. Or the conductor has forgotten to turn up. Or the driver forgets. Or the incoming train has arrived late, so everyone from the previous train is also on your train and it's standing room only. Or the aircon has failed (that only happens in the summer). Or the heating has failed (you can guess what time of the year that happens). Or there's a signalling failure. Or a tree blown onto the line. Or a truck has hit a bridge. Or it's too hot so there are speed restrictions meaning the timetable is completely screwed. Or someone was taken ill on the train - you know "ill" - check your seat carefully before sitting down.
On the upside, you generally only get problems like that on the way home. The journeys into work are fine.
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