Students - free public transport?

chatchatchat

I read this today from James Alexander, head of the NUS in Scotland:

http://sundayheraldsalon.com/salon/2006/09/no_free_ride_then_give_poor_sc.html#more

Why can't students get free public transport???

CIS

Why not give it to everyone?

The public transport system around here is struggling to cope with the cost and usage levels of giving it free to pensioner, almost overnight the buses have become packed full with non-paying passenegers, leaving those who pay struggling to get on the buses at peak times, anymore free passenegrs and paying passenegrs wont be able to get on at all.

robgriz

Would have to agree wih you gizmoleeds, and I am also a student. I take it the op doesn't take Business Studies/Economics!

the_devil_made_me_do_it

gizmoleeds wrote:

My goodness!

Just earlier I was reading a thread by a student moaning about how outrageous it is that he has to pay National Insurance on his pay (he is working "30-55 hours" and paying £20 a week).

Why can't students get free public transport? Let's turn that around for a second and ask why should students get free public transport? Who should pay for it?

You're already getting a heavily-subsidised education (possibly free if you come from a poorer household) as well as an inflation-only interest loan for your living expenses. Why should the state give you free transport?

Oh, and I am a student.

Students now pay an absolute fortune to study either at FE level or HE level. + Once qualified, they will be paying heavy tax bills if they get good jobs.

freebie_junkie

if youve got a statement of educational needs for dyslexia/dyspraxia/similar you get free transport, i do on trains, metrolink and buses and its not just after 9:30, its all the time

mug51

gizmoleeds wrote:

why should students get free public transport?

I like that question.

If students did get free public transport imagine the growing number of people with a lack of excercise. Not to mention it, seats on transport will be taken very quickly making public transport even more uncomfortable to use.

Why do students want so much?

btw i am a student too

the_devil_made_me_do_it

gizmoleeds wrote:

So? Are you really arguing that the fact that someone may, at some point in the future, be a higher-rate taxpayer means that they should be entitled to free travel on public transportation while they get their subsidised degree?! Give it a break!

No I wasn't meaning it the way you have taken it. I just get sick of people ranting on about how hard done to tax payers are and feeling sorry for tax payers. We are all tax payers!!

wrexhamandy

Why should OAPs get free transport? Because in terms of income and neccessary outgoings (foods, rent etc) they are on average one of the poorest classes of society and have to make daily choices between essential things for a decent quality of life, choices they shouldn't have to make.

Why should students get free transport? Because in terms of income and neccessary outgoings (foods, rent etc) they are on average one of the poorest classes of society and have to make daily choices between essential things for a decent quality of life, choices they shouldn't have to make.

Whether the reasons are right or wrong the same rules should apply.

Savvy_Sue

My renewed beef is why do 6th formers have to pay ADULT fares on public transport and there are very few concessions available because they're not given student discount at cinemas etc.

Blacksheep1979

gizmoleeds wrote:

Why should our degrees be subsidised at all? I'm not saying they shouldn't - I agree that they should be, but I would still point out that you are the primary beneficiary of your degree - so why should other taxpayers pay the majority of the cost?

Well the average student after university will pay more tax in their working life than they would if they hadn't gone to university and the difference in these sums will more than cover the cost of their education - or thats the theory.

As to free buses - they are a business why should they give anything for free? Its not like a discount in shops which entices the student in.

cupid_s

Savvy_Sue wrote:

My renewed beef is why do 6th formers have to pay ADULT fares on public transport and there are very few concessions available because they're not given student discount at cinemas etc.

when i was in the 6th form (not THAT long ago) all you needed was a free proof of full time study card and you paid half fare on the public transport.

i also got all the normal nus discounts like cheap cinema etc.