Bus-ban teenagers 'can work for a reprieve'

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Ticket to ride: Boris Johnson wants to give teenagers banned from the buses the right to earn a reprieve

Bus-ban teenagers 'can work for a reprieve'

Pippa Crerar, Political Correspondent
25.03.08

Boris Johnson has set out plans for rowdy teenagers who have been stripped of their right to free bus travel to earn it back.

The scheme, Payback London, will be aimed at under-18s who have had their bus passes withdrawn for breaking the Transport for London code of conduct.

They will have to do community work, including graffiti removal, gardening and litter collecting, before they are entitled to free travel again. Mr Johnson-has made tackling anti-social behaviour on the buses a key plank of his bid for election to City Hall.

He said: "It is unacceptable that in some parts of London, buses are intimidating places. Under a Johnson mayoralty, the passes will be taken away and only given back when community service has taken place.

"I will end the something-for-nothing society culture for those who abuse it." At present under-18s can travel on the buses for free in London but there is no way for the small minority who abuse the privilege to earn it back.

They can be stripped of their passes if they use threatening language, smoke, play music out loud, damage or deface an Oyster photocard, assault drivers or other passengers, carry a weapon or use drugs.

Under the Tory's plans, TfL and local councils will draw up a list of approved voluntary groups. The culprits will then be expected to complete a minimum number of hours' service with them.

TfL figures show the number of code red calls made by bus drivers in London due to anti-social behaviour increased from 472 cases in August 2005, the month before free travel was introduced, to 697 in October 2006, the latest figures available.

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