by Children have returned to the classroom and that the school year begins, they may begin to spread their wings and to gain more independence.
Perhaps you are traveling to school for the first time alone in public transport or want to take the bus into town with your friends.
What do you need to know if your child wants to take a bus or your own train yourself? Is there a minimum age that you can travel without adults, and what can you do to help you remain safe?
We spoke to the NSPCC to find out.
At what age can children go to a bus themselves or train themselves?
There is no legal age in which children in Great Britain alone can receive public transport. However, it is a criminal offense to leave a child alone if it endangers.
While there is no legal age, Gail Sayles, manager of NSPCC Local Campaigns Manager Gail Sayles, says that many children receive public transport alone when the secondary school started.
“I know that my own two started when they went to the secondary school,” she says to Yahoo UK. “We couldn’t take them by car, so they had to start by bus. I think that’s typical for many parents.”
Try some dry trip with your child to make sure it knows how to pay and request a stop. (Getty Images)
Do bus and train companies have minimum age to travel alone?
Some national transport companies have minimum age restrictions. National Express does not allow children under the age of 14 to travel unless, for example with a responsible person aged 16 and over, for example. It also means that those aged 14 to 15 at 10 p.m. have to arrive at their destination.
Local providers often have no age limits because many children use the services to get to school, but it is always best to check.
How do I know if my child is ready to take public transport independently?
Sayles says that every child is different and that it is best to know it as parents or supervisors. If you believe that you are ripe enough, you advise you to have a conversation about worries or fears that you may have so that you can say you through.
She also suggests doing some exercise trips with your child so that you know how to pay and how to press the bell before you stop or button to open the train doors.
“You often see children on the bus at the beginning of the new school year, which feels quite gradually and speak to the bus driver, and sometimes it can be hit a bit and miss how helpful the driver is. So it is really good to do a few dry runs,” she says.
When children travel together, make sure that they stay together and search for each other. (Getty Images)
While children who do things alone for the first time can have a few concerns about the parents, Sayes advises this as an exciting new phase in their life: “I think if we always fix themselves on the negative, this can sometimes be an obstacle; think of this as an exciting time in your life where you test your independence.”
Security tips for children who travel alone on buses and trains
Follow these tips to help children remain safe in public transport and make sure that you know what to do in an emergency.
Buses
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Make sure you know which bus number and hold you and how often the bus comes.
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If your local bus company has an app, it is a good idea to download this to your child’s phone so that you know how long the bus will take and if there is a problem, you can see alternative routes.
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Make sure you have enough money for your fare or that your travel card will be calculated.
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Tell the children that they should wait well for the bus from the curb and just get on and out as soon as they are completely stopped.
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The NSPCC recommends ensuring that you know your address and phone number by heart if you are lost or navigate from somewhere.
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If you have a mobile phone, remind you of fully charging and ensuring that your contact numbers will be saved so that you can call you if necessary.
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Make sure you know that you can speak to the driver if you are concerned about anything or are not sure.
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If you ever feel like you are in direct danger, you should call the police 999.
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The police from Devon and Cornwall recommend that children who travel alone do not sit in an empty part of a bus or train and sit near the driver when nobody is nearby.
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The police also say that children do not need to know where they get out, and if someone is sitting next to them and they feel uncomfortable, they should move closer to the driver.
Remember your child to calculate his phone before leaving the house and make sure that your contact number will be saved. (Getty Images)
Trains
The British transport police state that children and adolescents, although they would prefer to travel from a responsible adult on the railroad, is not always possible.
It recommends that the parents speak to their child before they take the train alone to ensure that they are prepared and are safe by following these security tips.
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Write down the details of your departure and arrival stations or write them an SMS so that you know where to get in and out, as well as train times and who fulfills them (if applicable).
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Make sure your phone is fully charged. You have saved your number and know who you should call in an emergency.
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Save the British Transport Police Text number 61016 in your phone. You can write an SMS to the police if you need help on your trip.
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Make sure you know that you call 999 in an emergency.
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Give them up on how to use auxiliary points at stations or on platforms. You can also speak to a train member or a police officer if you need help in a train or at a train station.
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When you travel with friends, tell them that they should stick together and take care of each other.
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Make sure you know that you stay away from the edge of the platform and never touch, go with you or take a shortcut on rail tracks.
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Tell them you should listen to every station or on on -board announcements and follow all instructions.
