Could Using Free Travel For U-9s To Send Your Kids On Round Trips All Day Be An Affordable Childcare Solution?

WITH FREE fares on public transport being extended to children between the ages of 5 and 8, parents feeling the financially punishing squeeze of childcare costs have welcomed a lifeline which could prove to be a longterm solution.

“It’s not perfect obviously I still have to cut out of work to pick them up from school to drop them off at the bus stop but that C1 bus, back and forth, back and forth, from 1.30pm until 6pm is a godsend, and best of all it’s free,” confirmed working parents Sophie and Michael Berrins, whose 6 and 8 year old children were set to cost the guts of a second mortgage to look after before the free travel fare came into effect.

“Sit up near the driver there love and I’ll be here waiting for you at this stop at 6.30pm, behave for Mr Driver now okay, love you” offered stressed parent Una Kelly, who admitted the lack of toilets on board were not ideal but her 5-year-old rarely if ever has accidents anymore.

While some have criticised the move by desperate cash-strapped parents, others have strongly defended the solution.

“How many adults can you fit on one bus? Even if it’s only 20% full, that’s what 10 adults? That’s basically 10 free childminders. If you create a system that isn’t fit for purpose, these are the sorts of solutions people have to create,” countered one parent with four children somewhere spread across a couple of 15a buses.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Transport admitted while it isn’t an ideal situation, for many parents who don’t have the money, free labour of grandparents or au pairs whose passports they’ve confiscated, this is the only option.

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