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Boris plans to strip young thugs of their Oyster cards
Pippa Crerar, Political Correspondent11.02.08
Teenagers stripped of their Oyster cards for misbehaving on London's buses should be able to win them back by doing community work, says Boris Johnson.
The Tory mayoral candidate pledged to bring in a scheme called "Payback London" which would encourage antisocial young people to view free travel as a privilege.
His plan is one of a series of measures to tackle crime in the capital - which he has pledged will be his number one priority should he win the mayoral election - to be unveiled later this week.
Mr Johnson told the BBC's Sunday AM programme: "We should take Oyster cards from the tiny minority that are abusing the privilege. If people knew they would systematically be deprived of it they would be much less willing to intimidate other passengers.
"If they want that privilege back - it has been given to 18-year-olds and under at the expense of lots of other people travelling on buses - then they should earn it back.
"They would have to do some kind of community service or voluntary service from graffiti removal, painting a community centre, whatever it happens to be. I think it would be a good way of connecting people with the privilege they're getting and making them value it."
Mr Johnson also pledged to introduce free travel for wounded troops in the capital.
He has called for more uniformed Police Community Support Officers and a trial of live CCTV on the buses to tackle anti-social young people.
However, a spokesman for Ken Livingstone's campaign said: "This shows how ill-informed Boris Johnson is - free travel cards are already confiscated for anti-social behaviour on buses.
"Anyone cautioned by the police or convicted of a criminal offence loses their card permanently, which is a very effective deterrent, whereas Boris Johnson's proposal would lessen this punishment."
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Reader views (9)
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I agree with Boris, it seems as though many adults shy away from the fact, there are THOUSANDS of teenagers. Not all of them are 'anti social' and terrorise society. Only a tiny minority do. It is funny how, many people make comments like Emanuella. Are you really that impressionable? The media feed you stories about the 'horrible' youth. And you run with it, these so called 'yobs' are the future doctors and lawyers. The people looking after you.
I don't understand why you would choose to make life harder for others, because you don't want to pay your taxes. That's all it boils down to. If you don't want to pay taxes, you don't have to, it's your choice. I'm sure you know what will happen if you don't. And when you hit rock bottom, you will be looking for help from the system you despised.
Let me break it down for you, and others, In a school there are about 1000 students, about 75% will take public transport to school. Of those 750 students, are all of them mugging and attacking fellow passengers? No a miniscule minority are.
What you need to do is think about the future. How are you going to tackle anti social behaviour on public transport? Remember you're a person, given the gift of free will. So you make up for own views, which is called your opinion you are allowed to have it , but please don't be so impressionable.
From a 16 year old, student from London.
Please don't patronise me.
- Justin, London
Basic problem is that drivers don't ask teenagers to show their passes. This has been going on for years, with the result that it allows others to get away without paying, and for teenagers who have had their Oyster card confiscated to still travel for free.
I understand that there are new rules coming into force soon, and that teenagers will be expected to show their travel cards! But if the drivers still refuse to ask to see these cards, or are too intimidated to do so, then these new rules are pointless.
- Mm, Hackney
And how much will it cost to provide and police this community work?
- Billy Blighty, Sydney Australia
