Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
I noticed that there was a double decker bus parked in the Market square today dishing out leaflets balloons wrist bands etc on how to apply and obtain a bus pass. Its basically for 11 - 16 year olds or academic 7-11year and for £50 the pass allows students to travel on any public bus at anytime including weekends.No restrictions of the number of journeys you can make.
A great idea and Dover has been selected with others to be part of the pilot scheme.Natascha asked the lady why (although she is only 8yrs old) she couldn't have one as she has to pay full adult price on the bus to get to school.I don't know came the reply but she did add that it did seem unfair.Is this not a classic case of ageism and shouldn't the scheme be available to all fulltime students regardless of age?
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Dont knock it .It has taken a long time to get this far .keith and I used to argue for this all the time .I think the theory is most primary children attend their nearest school.This all comes out of Council Budgets so be glad we have at least got this far.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Hey Sue who the bloody hell is knocking it.Its not me for sure don't be so aggressive all the time.It was my daughter who asked me to ask and post this question to which I feel she is entitled.As for most juniors attending a school nearby..thats true except if you want your child to attend a particular faith school like Natascha who goes to St Dicks RC.Also the passes are for evening and weekend use when schools are not open. So your argument and theory that most primary children attend their nearest primary holds as much water as Old dear lylie's holey bucket.Why is it that when you make a posting praising an idea but ask why the scheme could not have been extended that some councillor jumps down your throat ignores answering the point raised and slams you as a critic.No wonder DDC meetings have a terrible reputation of descending into fist fights.The attitude appears to be....you should be grateful for what you've got and don't dare question our authority or decision making.Roll on Guy Fawkes night ...another Catholic who was the last man in the House of Commons to have a good idea.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Hullo Marek,
I was trying to point out that for years we could not get the free passes for over sixties unless you were on benefits .Then we got the Free bus pass for all over sixty and now you can travel anywhere in the country.The older children now get the passes if you pay fifty pounds which is a grand help.I do know some children attend faith schools .Indeed my younger son went to Barton school I had to pay for his ticket however as he got older he walked .The point Im trying to make is you cannot have everything for free.
I had a qoute for a new kitchen yesterday well i will not be having onefor a long time . I may sound a little harsh but I grew up when there was no free health service ,no buses etc .We have to be pleased that times have changed.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Sue
I agree you can't have everything for free nor should you expect it but it's not totally free as you have to fork out £50 per child.
The children are our next generation of workers,MP's armed services scientists doctors teachers etc,the up and coming tax payers.Education leads to better jobs better production and of course more tax into the Chancellors coffers.Lets not think of it as free but more of a long term investment for our(GB) future.The health service is the same a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.This country squanders billions on failed jet fighters,useless helicopters,computer systems the list is endless.Lets extend this great bus system to all students.Mothers of young children are still setting out on lifes adventure and are usually on the minimum wage so any help would be greatly accepted.Think of the pleasure you could give these very young and still impressionable kids.It would be worth its weight in gold but perhaps thats the romantic in me .
We can prop up an ailing bank that can't run its business properly to the tune of £40billion plus affording fat ar*ed useless directors golden handshake when a golden shower would be far more appropriate but we are too stingy to invest in our childrens future.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Marek, I am with you! It's a bit like, and as infuriating as, when people say the Health Service is free - it isn't! We've paid for it in taxes etc. We've also paid for councillors and MPs.....!
Guest 648- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 258
Very good posting there Marek,however with out being negative the Freedom Ticket was an incentive for young people to get to out of school clubs etc.Bern is correct we have paid for the NHS Some people abuse this and if they had to pay for the doctor as my parents did perhaps we would not take things for granted.Here is a tale of woe .My mother at three years old pierced her eye with scissors and at five years old had to have it removed .My grandad had to walk across three miles of fields to catch a train to London so she could have treatment .My Gran used to wet nurse .There has been an article in The Dailly Mail this week about allowing someone else to breast feed your baby .My gran had todo this to bring money in .My,mother was one of seven.My mother also had a red birth mark on her face which her parents could not afford to have treated.
My children always accepted my mothers looks and never thought ant different.
Yes we do get paid Bern and I try to give back to my community ,hence the party i put on .I will never be rich as i give a lot back.
I understand Marek you comments re golden handshakes
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Sue
Thank God we don't have to endure the hardships your family went through.As you say it has improved why not push it along some more before the wheels fall off the waggon.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
marek
you had it easy, not like our sue, who lived on wood shavings until she was 45.
actually i thought that the bus pass was for all kids, not just year 7 onwards.
when it first came out, the impression i got , was that it was free.
50 quid?????
Wood shavings Howard? Pah! we lived on the shavings from the shavings and were grateful, blinking sawdust we had, and nowt to drink but the rainwater left after the beggars had finished.
Sue - if we curtailed eveyrthing because some people abused it we wouldn't have town and district councillors or MPs.......................................................
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
you lived on sawdust in your house?
must have seemed like christmas every day.
these softies like sue would never understand what it is like to be hard up.
I know....we didn't even know Waitrose existed until all our teeth had dropped out.....
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
I have never shopped in a Waitrose.The nearest one is in Hythe I think..I would love to take Natascha there but she doesn't qualify for a free £50 freedom bus pass for another 3 years..so she will just have to forego that pleasure
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
Aye Marek, ah know what thee means, just give her another bag of sawdust an she'll be raht 'appy
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i have visited the waitrose in hythe, very nice establishment.
pity that the security bloke wouldn't let me beg outside though.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
howard
security guard begged you to go away
not to stop you begging
he must have known about your reputation
Waste of time begging outside Waitrose....those people didn't become "comfortable" giving it away....! You'll have more luck outside a Co-op!!!
Guest 659- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 331
I would be quite interested to know why the Freedom pass does not extend to under-11's. I will try and get an answer on Monday and post it on the forum if anyone at KCC gives me a sensible reply
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Kathy
I asked the same question of a Stagecoach employee in the Market Sq who was very nice but couldn't give any answer.I will be interested in their response.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 677- Registered: 8 Jul 2008
- Posts: 150
If the pass is designed for use for out of school clubs it definately shouldn't have an age limit?? Haven't we all heard of Brownies, and there are aspiring dancers who have taken lessons since they were three. I'd be interested in the answer too cos it sounds a bit fishy to me.
It's not the man in my life, its the life in my man!!