ANGRY parents from across York have hit out at changes to child bus tickets in the city.

Back in July First York decided to remove their monthly child bus tickets, and with the new school term now underway parents say the changes will leave them out of pocket to the tune of hundreds of pounds.

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They say the removal of monthly passes for children has placed an unexpected financial burden on many parents, who now face increased transportation costs for their children’s daily commutes to school and other activities.

But First say the decision was made to scrap the ticket as it didn't exist in other parts of the country and parents with children travelling to school in York continue to benefit from the £1 child single fare, which means a cost of £10 per week, which is slightly lower than the new child week ticket costing £10.50.

Parent Ruth Inkley is one of those affected. She said: "For me personally, with two children at secondary school, it will cost me the equivalent of £91 per month, having to purchase weekly tickets. Previously it was £60 per month.

"We live in Woodthorpe and my eldest daughter started at All Saints in South Bank in Sept 2021.

"A child monthly ticket three years ago cost £20 which was very good value. Last year, the cost increased to £30 a month which was a hefty percentage increase in one go, but was still good value and convenient to buy and ‘gift’ to my daughter’s phone in the First bus app.

"It was very surprising to see that this ticket option ceased to exist from July 14 this year for children (although it still does for adults and 16-18 year olds).

"The only options now are single tickets for £1 each so £10 a week if buying individual tickets to school and home every day or a child weekly ticket for £10.50. Both of these options are significantly more expensive than the previous monthly ticket option. My youngest daughter is also starting secondary school this week so we now have to pay this twice, like many families.

"First York have been very visible with their advertising of free travel for children this summer and I find it ironic that if my daughters were travelling with an adult, they would both be free, yet when needing to catch the bus to go to school, prices have shot up.”

Another York parent, Sarah Taylor said: "For a single parent of two children, it's now an increased financial burden of almost £1,100 per year.

"It's not right that adults can still purchase a monthly ticket, but children can't. I want my children to enjoy the benefits of affordable public transport, which is greener, safer and gives them independence."

A spokesperson for First York said: “The child monthly was a legacy product that had remained unchanged on our systems since 2019 until an increase last year. It was removed from the ticket range in line with our practice in other regions we operate.

"Children travelling to school in York continue to benefit from the £1 Child Single fare, which means a cost of £10 per week. This is slightly lower than the new Child Week ticket costing £10.50, although the weekly has the benefit of providing unlimited trips, including at weekends.

“This fare change was introduced in July as part of our established annual review and we looked carefully at how we can limit price increases for customers and balance this with the challenge of maintaining a sustainable network.

“We are committed to supporting customers and keeping bus travel an affordable and sustainable option. Other value for money ticket choices exist for children in York which ensure the cost of taking multiple trips during the week remains low.”