Stephen has written to the Minister for Transport, Grant Shapps MP, to ask the Government to reconsider suspending free travel in London for under 18-year olds.
The public have been encouraged to find alternative methods to public transport due to Covid-19. Furthermore, social distancing rules have lowered the capacity of public transport by 15-20% of normal levels. Consequently, Transport for London’s finances have been forced into a precarious position. Fare income, the main source of its revenue, have fallen by 90% during lockdown.
On 14 May, it was announced that Transport for London and the Department for Transport have agreed a £1.6bn lockdown bailout. One of the conditions is to suspend the subsidy which provides free travel for under-18s. The cited reason for this decision is “demand management” due to the social distancing rules.
This policy will disproportionately impact poorer children. Given that over half of children in Newham are living in poverty, this will undoubtedly impact East Ham significantly. Stephen noted that “the Children’s Commissioner for England has already spoken of her fears that this could become “a lost generation” of children, yet the Government are pursuing policies which directly impact the poorest most. Although I understand the necessity for demand management, I believe that alternative policies can be implemented that won’t have a detrimental impact on the most vulnerable in our society. ”
Stephen’s letter calls on the Transport Secretary to examine different policies which could result in the reduced demand objective. You can read the letter here.