First Buses Challenged On Under 5s Ticket Policy

12.01.49pm GMT Sun 14th Jan 2007

Cllr Barbara Hacker, Leader of the Norfolk County Council Liberal Democrat Group, and Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South, are challenging First (Eastern Counties) over their ticketing policy for under-5s.

Simon Wright says: "There is an inconsistency across the country over First bus fares for under 5s. Fare-paying First passengers in Dorset are able to travel with two under 5s at no extra cost, whilst in Bradford passengers can travel with up to three under 5s for free. In Norfolk however, an adult travelling with young children can only take one under 5 year old on board for free. Any additional children travelling must pay the full child fare regardless of their age.

"I have written to First asking for an explanation as to why their customers in Norfolk are getting a worse deal than in other parts of the country."

Thorpe Hamlet County Councillor Barbara Hacker said: "I was recently made aware of ticketing policy for young children by a constituent of mine, Arabella Beckett, who until recently had been able to take both of her young children onto a bus for free. Now she has been told that she must pay for one of them. First have confirmed to me that this is in fact company policy in Norfolk."