Exploring Bus Fare Policies For Children

Whether or not children have to pay for bus travel depends on their age, height, and the region. In Singapore, children under seven years old and up to 0.9m in height can travel for free on basic bus services when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Children under seven and above 0.9m in height can also travel for free with a valid Child Concession Card. In the UK, up to two children under five years of age may travel free of charge when accompanied by a responsible fare-paying customer, provided they do not occupy a seat required by an adult passenger. Additional children or children under five occupying a seat may be charged as if they were aged five or older. Children 16 and above will need to pay a fare, which may be the adult fare or a reduced youth fare, depending on the region.

Children under five

In the UK, children under five years of age can travel free of charge on buses, provided they are accompanied by a fare-paying passenger. This applies to all buses in the UK, including those in London. Up to two or four children under five can travel for free with a single adult. However, if they occupy a seat required by an adult passenger, they may be charged as if they were aged five or older.

In London, children under 11 can travel for free on buses at any time, with or without an adult, and without a ticket. Up to four children under 11 can travel for free with an adult who has a valid ticket. When entering the bus with children, it is advisable to use the larger access doors, which are wider and don't close as quickly as the single doors.

In Scotland, children under five can travel for free on Stagecoach buses, and anyone under 22 can travel for free on buses with a Free Bus Pass. In British Columbia, Canada, children 12 and under can ride buses for free without requiring a fare product or identification.

Children under seven

Children under the age of five can generally travel for free on buses, but this can vary depending on location. For example, in London, children under the age of 11 can travel for free on buses, while in British Columbia, children aged six to 12 can ride buses for free. In Singapore, children under seven years old and up to 0.9m in height can travel for free on basic bus services when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

In some cases, children under five may need to be accompanied by a fare-paying adult to travel for free. For example, in British Columbia, children aged five and under must be accompanied by a person 12 years or older to ride BC Transit services for free. Similarly, in London, children under 11 must be accompanied by a paying adult to travel for free on the London Underground, DLR, overground, and TFL rail.

It's important to note that the number of children allowed to travel for free with a fare-paying adult may be limited. For example, in London, up to four children can travel for free with one paying adult on the Tube, DLR, and London Overground.

In certain cases, children under five may be charged a fare if they occupy a seat required by an adult passenger. For instance, First Bus states that additional children under five or children who occupy a seat required by an adult may be charged as if they were aged five or older.

Regarding children aged five and above, discounted rates or free travel may be available depending on the location and transit system. For example, in London, children aged 6 to 10 can travel for free on the Tube, DLR, and London Overground when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. In Scotland, children aged 5 to 21 can benefit from free bus travel with a National Entitlement Card (NEC).

Child Concession Cards

The Child Concession Card is a stored-value travel card that allows children to travel for free on public transport, except for Premium Bus Services and NightRider services. The card is available for children who are 0.9m and above in height, below seven years old, and not enrolled in primary school. Children below 0.9m tall can travel for free when accompanied by a fare-paying commuter.

To apply for a Child Concession Card, you must visit a SimplyGo Ticket Office and provide proof of the child's identity, such as a birth certificate or passport. The card will be encoded with the child's name, birth certificate/passport number, date of birth, and card expiry date. Each eligible child is entitled to one Child Concession Card, which can be used immediately without activation.

The Child Concession Card is valid until 30 April of the year the child turns seven years old, regardless of their actual age. If your child is not attending primary school that year, you can call the SimplyGo Hotline for assistance. To check the concession card expiry date, visit a SimplyGo Ticket Office, SimplyGo Kiosk, or Assisted Service Kiosk.

If your child travels on Premium Bus Services or NightRider services, the concession card must be topped up, and the adult cash fare will apply. Damaged and faulty Child Concession Cards can be replaced for free, while a $13 administrative fee applies for other replacement cases.

Please note that concession cards must be carried when travelling to enjoy the travel concession and shown to the bus driver or authorised staff when requested. If the concession card is not presented, a child between 0.9m and 1.2m in height may need to pay the student/adult cash fare, while a child above 1.2m will need to pay the adult fare on Basic/Express Bus Services.

Fare-paying adult

In London, children under the age of five can travel for free on all forms of public transport, including buses, as long as they are accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Children between the ages of five and ten can also travel for free on the Tube, DLR, and London Overground when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, and up to four children can travel with one paying adult. On the IFS Cloud Cable Car, children between the ages of five and fifteen are only required to pay child rates. If you plan to use the Uber Boat multiple times in a day, it is recommended to purchase a Family River Roamer ticket, which allows for unlimited travel for two adults and three children aged five to fifteen.

In Singapore, children below seven years old and up to 0.9m in height can travel for free on basic bus and train services, Nite Owl bus services, and Chinatown Direct Bus Services when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Children below seven years old and above 0.9m in height can also travel for free on the same services with a valid Child Concession Card. The Child Concession Card is a stored-value travel card that allows children to travel for free on public transport, except on Premium Bus Services and NightRider services, for which the adult cash fare will apply.

In the UK, outside of London, First Bus offers free travel for up to two children under five years of age when accompanied by a responsible fare-paying customer, provided they do not occupy a seat required by an adult passenger. Additional children or children under five who occupy a seat required by an adult may be charged as if they were aged five or older. Children sixteen and above will need to pay a fare, which may be the adult fare or a reduced fare, depending on the region.

Student fares

In the UK, the age at which children must pay for bus travel varies. For example, First Bus offers free travel for up to two children under five years of age when accompanied by a responsible fare-paying customer, provided they do not occupy a seat required by an adult passenger. Additional children or those occupying a seat required by an adult may be charged as if they were aged five or older. Children aged 16 and above will need to pay a fare, which may be the adult fare or a reduced youth fare, depending on the region.

In some cases, bus drivers may ask for age verification if a child appears older than the maximum age for a child fare, so carrying additional photo identification can be helpful to avoid any potential embarrassment.

Frequently asked questions