Bus Travel: Do 5-Year-Olds Pay Fare?

Whether or not a 5-year-old has to pay to travel on public transport depends on their location. In London, children under 11 travel for free on buses, the Tube, DLR, Overground, and TFL rail when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Up to four children under the age of five can travel for free with a single adult. In LA, children under 6 can travel for free on the bus or rail with a fare-paying adult. In Tokyo, children aged 6 to 11 pay a reduced fare, while those under 6 can ride for free with an adult. In the UK, outside of London, children aged 5-15 can benefit from discounted rates, depending on the area.

In London, under 5s travel free on buses and trams, with or without an adult

In London, children under the age of 5 can travel for free on buses and trams, regardless of whether they are accompanied by an adult. This policy also extends to other forms of public transportation within the city, including the London Underground, DLR, Overground, and TFL rail. Up to four children under the age of 5 can travel for free with a single fare-paying adult.

When entering the London Underground with young children, it is advisable to use the larger access doors, which are wider and do not close as quickly as the single doors. These doors are designed for people travelling with children, luggage, or disabled passengers.

For children between the ages of 5 and 10, free travel is still available on the Tube, DLR, and London Overground, as long as they are accompanied by a fare-paying adult. However, this age group must pay child rates for the IFS Cloud Cable Car.

Children aged 11 to 15 do have to pay for transport but can benefit from discounted rates. One option is to purchase an Oyster card with a Young Visitor Discount, which offers 50% off regular fares for up to 14 days. Another option is the Zip Oyster Photocard, which provides reduced fares on the underground, overground, and other TFL services, as well as free travel on trams and buses for children up to 16 years of age.

In LA, children under 6 travel free with a fare-paying adult

In LA, children under 6 can travel for free on the bus or rail when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. This means that a 5-year-old can ride the bus for free as long as they are with an adult who has paid their fare. This is a convenient option for families travelling together and can make public transportation more accessible and affordable for those with young children.

The LA Metro Rider's Guide outlines this policy, stating that children under 6 may travel free of charge with a paying adult. This applies to both bus and rail services, making it a flexible option for families navigating the city. The regular fare for those aged 6 and above is $1.75, which allows for 2 hours of unlimited transfers in one direction. This standard fare is a simple and straightforward option for older children and adults.

For families with young children, the ability to include them in their travel plans without an additional cost can be a significant advantage. It encourages the use of public transportation and can help foster a sense of independence and exploration in children from an early age. By allowing children under 6 to ride for free, LA Metro recognises the importance of supporting families and promoting sustainable transportation options.

Additionally, the TAP card payment system is available for those travelling by bus or rail. Each rider must have their own TAP card, and these cards are non-transferable, even among family members. This system provides a convenient and efficient way to pay for transportation, further enhancing the accessibility of LA's public transportation network.

In London, children under 11 travel free on London Underground with a paying adult

In London, children under 11 can travel free on the London Underground with a paying adult. This applies to the TFL network, which includes the tube, bus, DLR, Elizabeth Line, London Overground, and trams. Up to four children under 11 can travel with one paying adult, and they do not need a ticket. However, if the child is travelling unaccompanied, they will need a valid 5-10 Zip Oyster Photocard for free travel.

On National Rail services, children between 5 and 15 need a child ticket. This includes local commuter trains within London, such as trains from Paddington, Marylebone, Fenchurch Street, London Bridge, Charing Cross, Waterloo, or Victoria. On these services, children under 5 can travel free with a fare-paying adult.

On London buses, children under 5 can travel for free without a ticket when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Different rules may apply for other bus services outside of London.

In Scotland, 5-21-year-olds get free bus travel with a National Entitlement Card

In Scotland, young people aged between 5 and 21 years old can benefit from free bus travel. This scheme is part of the Scottish Government's plan to build a fairer and greener society. It is also intended to help young people who need to make essential journeys, such as for education or health reasons.

To take advantage of this scheme, a valid National Entitlement Card (NEC) is required. This can be obtained by applying online on freebus.scot, or by completing an application at a local library. It is important to have all the relevant documents listed on the Get Your NEC site when applying. Once the card has been obtained, it must be presented when boarding the bus, and the destination should be communicated to the bus driver. The card is then tapped on the electronic ticket machine, and the smart technology will take care of the rest.

It is worth noting that there are some bus services that are not included in this scheme, such as premium fare services, sightseeing buses, cross-border services, and dedicated school buses. Therefore, it is recommended to contact the bus company directly to confirm if the service is included before travelling.

Additionally, parents or guardians must apply on behalf of 5-15-year-olds. Young people aged 16-21 can apply for the card themselves.

In London, children between 11 and 16 can travel at a reduced rate

In London, children under five can travel for free on all public transport, including buses, as long as they are accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Children between 5 and 10 can also travel for free on London's Tube, DLR and London Overground, as well as buses and trams, when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. Up to four children under 11 can travel for free with one paying adult.

For children travelling alone, the situation is more complicated. Unaccompanied children between 5 and 10 must have a valid 5-10 Zip Oyster Photocard for free travel. Unaccompanied children aged 11 to 15 must get an 11-15 Zip Oyster Photocard to travel free on buses and trams and at a child rate on Tube, DLR and London Overground services using an Oyster card. This card entitles them to half-price fares for up to 14 days. After 14 days, the Oyster card will charge full adult rates.

Children 16 and above will need to pay a fare, and in some cases, this will be the adult fare. However, in London, it is possible for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain child fares by getting a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard, which offers free and discounted travel on all Transport for London services.

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