Community group Newham Citizens is calling on Transport for London (TfL) to allow school students to return home from school even if they forget their Oyster cards.

The move, part of the organisation’s Manifesto for Newham, is believed to be a step towards tackling knife crime, and is based on evidence that the risk of violence for young people is highest in the afterschool period. Allowing children to take transport home from school, with or without an Oyster card, would ensure they get home quickly and safely.

Joshua, a student at St Bonaventure’s, said:

“Sometimes I have to walk home from school at about 5 o’clock. At this time, it gets very dark, especially in winter, so I prefer taking the bus. At times I don’t have my Zip card as I left it in my other school bag, and the driver sometimes doesn’t let me on. I have to walk across the Borough by myself in the cold and dark.”

Alongside research that indicated 71 per cent of young people travel to and from school or college with no adult supervision. Newham Citizens and research partners at the University of East London found that 65 per cent of young people who came to the schools take a bus as part of their commute to school or college. Their research also demonstrates the challenges female students face in being harassed on public transport.

Andy Lewis, a staff member at St Bonaventure’s said:

“We want to ensure our young people get home as safely as possible. Students should have their Oyster to travel, but we all forget things occasionally. We want TfL to think about some discretion for young people to make sure our students remain as safe as possible.”

As part of the Manifesto, Newham Citizens also have campaign demands on the Living Wage, housing and health inequalities. The group wants more support for those on mental health waiting lists and is recommending that the council hire “lived experienced” consultants to improve Newham’s housing system.

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