Unaccompanied child on a train journey..

becky_rtw

I did loads of trips like this as a child - the only problem these days is that people cant meet you off the train due to barriers at stations which means it can be confusing when you get off - but since your son knows the route well I think it should be fine...

I take the train a lot and it still has that nice friendly feeling - people do chat to each other etc - and I live in London too , the only problems I've ever had are people picking up my luggage by mistake and y seat not being allocated - you might want to talk through what to do in those situations with him

The ticket conductors are also usually pretty friendly and would no doubt chat to your son if he looked unsure

NoAngel

MrsTine wrote: »

In my view busses and planes are very different to trains... Plane: the airline actually take responcibility for you and you're "signed for" so to speak when you are handed over one end and again when your guardian etc picks you up the other end.
Busses - 1 or 2 exits from the bus - reasonably easy for the driver to make sure he gets off at the right place and limited amount of people on the bus for him to come into contact with and even then the bus driver can still see what is going on.
Train - LOADS of doors he could use to get off unseen - far too many people could potentially interact with him unseen for my liking and there is no chance of the driver seeing anything or keeping an eye on to make sure he got off at the right place...
If you don't want him to spot you or your daughter then maybe a friend he doesn't know too well could be convinced to do the journey for you?

Yes, very good point, my mum put me on the plane, the air hostesses gave me special attention, I bypassed all of the passport checks at the end (or at least it felt like I did) and met my dad. So probably a bit different to a train.

If I wasn't comfortable with the idea I wouldn't let a 12 year old do it. But also depends what he wants to do, some won't like to idea, some really won't mind. As long as he's sensible he'll be fine though.

lostinrates

NoAngel wrote: »

Yes, very good point, my mum put me on the plane, the air hostesses gave me special attention, I bypassed all of the passport checks at the end (or at least it felt like I did) and met my dad. So probably a bit different to a train.

If I wasn't comfortable with the idea I wouldn't let a 12 year old do it. But also depends what he wants to do, some won't like to idea, some really won't mind. As long as he's sensible he'll be fine though.

Yes, like a couple of other posters, I used to be put on planes at an early age, with changes, and was ok, but was very well looked after. At 11 friends and I were using trains alone for shopping trips and lots of my friends were making hour plus train journeys for school etc.

Depending on the child I think its doable.

(is it not possible to buy platform tickets anymore?)

A London child is going to be fairly used to public transport, and you can always call him a couple of minuted before the train is due to stop to remind him to get off . Its a good introduction to starting to be a litle more ''responsible'' and my guess his mother risks mking him resentful of her if he feels he was able but contact was restricted by her fears. Its such a scary time, they have so much to learn to cope with in such a short time. Its amazing to think 12 year olds who cuase worry abou travelling alont are in two years choosing subjects for exams that might determine their working future, and two years later, anrrowing choices even more and can live alone and get married.

If the consensus is that 12 is too young generally, when is it thouht children can travel alone?

littlemissmoney

becky_rtw wrote: »

the only problem these days is that people cant meet you off the train due to barriers at stations which means it can be confusing when you get off

If you explain you are meeting a child off the train they will often let you through the gate (more so at smaller stations than, say, central London). Make sure they see you and the child when you come back through the gate so they trust you next time If you do it fortnightly they get to know you and the child.

lostinrates

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/passenger_services/guidelines_for_rail_enthusiasts.html

It seems platform tickets ARE still available, but not at all stations. My guess is that stations that do not have platform tickets might consider an approach from the parent/guardian of a child travelling alone though: worth a try anyway!

becky_rtw

Wow tickets and instructions for nerds - amazing

You could of course also just buy the cheapest fare - from Bristol its £1.50 to Lawrence Hill

littlemissmoney

becky_rtw wrote: »

You could of course also just buy the cheapest fare - from Bristol its £1.50 to Lawrence Hill

Don't pay anything! I've never (yet!) had anyone refuse to let me though the barrier to the platform to help carry luggage, wave goodbye, etc so I'm sure they will let you through if you are woried about a child!

kindofagilr

It depends where the train is going, if there is many stops, does he have to change?

I wouldnt let him go, I am sorry but an 11 year old in my opinion is too young, and I dont care how many times he has done the journey

And I def wouldnt let anyone under 16 go to London either.

becky_rtw

HAHAHA why what's wrong with London - children under 16 do live here you know

newcook

You say he gets the bus on his own - I bet that when he first started this that you/your dd were having the same worries!!

He is growing up and perhaps plays up because he feels is is being treated like child - give him the responsibility to do this trip alone but remind him that if he even thinks about turning off his phone/misbehaving on the train/not keeping his stuff together and ready for when its his stop etc then he will not be going again.
Also get the dad to call him when he is due near his stop so he can do a double check he has everything ready.