First Bus bans under-16s in Stoke-on-Trent travelling alone after 6pm after disorder

In Stoke-on-Trent, UK, First Bus has banned passengers under 16 from travelling without an adult after 6pm. The decision was made due to a rise in antisocial behaviour by young people during the summer holidays, as reported by infohub.kz.

The British government introduced free bus travel for children aged 5 to 15 in August. However, this initiative led to some negative behaviour. First Bus reported multiple incidents since 1 August, including one involving more than 100 teenagers acting aggressively at Hanley bus station.

Simon Mathieson, regional director of First Bus, told BBC Radio Stoke: "Police had to be called. My drivers want to do a good job, but they don't feel safe. Passengers also feel unsafe trying to get home."

He noted an increase in the use of the free travel offer, but one driver reported children swinging on handrails and running up and down the bus while it was moving. "That doesn't help people feel they can travel in safety and comfort," Mathieson added.

Consequently, the company decided to introduce a temporary restriction to protect staff and other passengers. This decision was approved by the Department for Transport and supported by the city council.

However, some experts and local officials consider this measure unfair. Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport at Stoke-on-Trent council, said: "Most children are not guilty of anything, but they are being punished. This is very regrettable." He suggested increasing police presence at bus stations to prevent disorder.

He believes the free travel scheme did not change young people's behaviour, but merely concentrated it. "Previously, this behaviour was dispersed across estates and largely unreported. Now it is visible at the bus station and appears in incident logs," he said.

First Bus declined to be interviewed by the Guardian but issued a statement confirming the decision was approved by the Department for Transport and has full council support. Drivers can still use their discretion to allow free travel for vulnerable children or in safety situations.

A government spokesperson said: "Our scheme allows families to enjoy days out in August. Operators have flexibility to deal with antisocial behaviour, including the right to refuse travel or impose local time restrictions."