Traveling children on public transport - rules and rights that parents do not know about

Can a child ride a bus for free?
Is it worth buying a separate ticket for a stroller? These questions are often asked by parents. To drive safely around the city and beyond, you need to be well aware of your rights and responsibilities. In Russia there are clear rules for children traveling on public transport. You will learn more about them from this article.

Types of public transport

Throughout Russia there is a single federal law that regulates the travel of children in urban, suburban and intercity transport.

The following types of transport travel around the city:

• Bus.
• Trolleybus.
• Metro.
• Tram.
• Route taxi.

Suburban transport is buses and minibuses that travel outside the city limits. Their path to the final point should not exceed 50 kilometers.

Intercity transport includes all public transport traveling a distance of more than 50 kilometers.

Free travel on public transport

Children under 7 years of age have the right to travel on public transport in the city for free. But according to the law, they are not provided with a separate free seat. Therefore, you need to take the baby on your lap during the trip.

If a child is traveling in a separate seat , he must purchase a discount ticket. The ticket price cannot exceed 50% of its regular price.

One adult passenger can carry only two children on discounted tickets. If one is under 7 years old and the other is under 12, you can hold the baby on your lap and carry the teenager at a reduced rate. Or buy tickets at half price for both.

The exception to this rule is minibuses . An unlimited number of children under 7 years old can travel accompanied by one adult.

Flights

If you want to use airline services, you need to take into account that there are two different tariffs:

1. INF (up to 2 years) - similar to previous cases, infants are given the opportunity to fly without paying for a ticket, but they will not have their own seat in the cabin. But here there is also the rule “1 adult = 1 child”. Therefore, if there are more children than parents, then one of them will have to purchase a document at a reduced rate. In order for your child to be allowed into the aircraft cabin, you must issue a zero ticket at the ticket office or at the check-in counter. Sometimes it is sold at a special price, which is no more than 10%. Such passengers are considered full-fledged customers and are entitled to free baggage allowance weighing 10 kg.
2. CHD (from 2 to 12 years old) – reduced rates are provided for all children in this age group. The exact cost of a ticket will depend on the airline, its pricing policy and other factors. Usually the discount is 50-70% of the cost. The conditions for flights, baggage and carry-on luggage, as well as other services for children are the same as for adult passengers.

Traveling with children on suburban routes

The travel rules for commuter buses are the same as for city transport. Children under 7 years old travel for free .

It is worth considering that on some commuter buses it is prohibited to travel without a separate seat. In this case, one adult passenger can carry two children on discounted tickets . Their price cannot exceed 50% of the adult fare.

Benefits are provided up to 12 years of age .

We travel for free

The main criterion for a child’s free travel on public transport is age and the absence of the need to provide such a passenger with a separate seat or lying seat.

Age restrictions range from 2 to 7 years, depending on the type of transport:

• In city (buses, trolleybuses, trams, metro) and suburban (buses, electric trains) services, the free travel benefit applies to children under 7 years of age; a separate seat is not provided.
• On intercity buses, children under 5 years old can travel for free, but only in the arms of their parents.
• Trains allow free travel for up to 5 years without the provision of a separate seat.
• When traveling internationally by plane or sea, you can count on a free ticket only for infants under 2 years of age. In some cases, this benefit is not provided by the carrier, but significant discounts of up to 90% are possible.

Travel by intercity buses

free of charge on intercity routes only up to 5 years old . In this case, the child must sit on the lap of an adult; a separate seat is not provided.

If you want to transport your baby in a separate seat, you can buy him a discounted ticket . Ticket price is 50% of the regular fare or less. The cost is set by the carrier.

Children's bus ticket up to what age in Russia 2020

// Despite the free passage, the baby will still need a ticket. It can be purchased at the box office as a one-time payment for your ticket. To do this, you need to provide your documents and the birth certificate of your son or daughter.

You can also buy a ticket for a child directly on the train, but for a fee, so it’s better to settle this formality in advance. Contents First, let me remind you that starting from July 12, 2020, the requirement to use child restraints on buses has been removed from the traffic rules. Such devices are required only in passenger cars and truck cabs.

So, transporting a child wearing a regular seat belt on a bus is not considered a violation. In this regard, carriers do not need to provide child seats. Within the city, children aged 7 to 14 years old can buy a child ticket with a discount of 50% of the full cost if they have a travel card. Orphans and the disabled are entitled to a discount of 50% of full fare until the age of majority Children's tickets on intercity buses Provide a discount of 50% of the cost, if purchased for children aged 5 to 12 years Price.

A child from 5 to 10 years old takes a separate seat. The ticket is purchased at a children's rate (the total cost will be somewhere in the region of 35-50% of an adult).

The exception is luxury carriages. Children under 10 years old travel for free. If a child turns 10 years old on the day the train departs, the ticket can be issued at a child fare.

How it is issued. When buying a train ticket online, you simply add a child’s ticket to your order. Or you can buy a ticket for the child later (but he will not be able to board the train without an adult). The online sales system itself will calculate the cost of the child fare and show it to you at the stage of entering passenger data.

Additionally. Children under 10 years of age cannot travel by rail unless accompanied by an adult (except when visiting an educational institution).

Features of children traveling by train

Trains whose route is within Russia also have their own rules.

A child under 5 years old can travel free of charge in the following carriages:

• Coupe.
• Reserved seat.
• General.
• Sedentary.
• NE.

Travel on preferential terms is possible for up to 10 years . Seated tickets are 35% of the full fare price. Discount tickets can be purchased for several children with no restrictions on the number.

More benefits are provided to passengers of luxury class carriages. Children under 10 years old can travel for free, even if they take a ticket with a seat. But it is worth considering that the initiator of the benefit for luxury cars is RZD (Russian Railways) itself. Therefore, before traveling and choosing a carriage, it is advisable to check with the company’s employees whether this discount system is valid.

It is also worth noting that actual age is taken into account. The deadline for departure of the ticket is the tenth birthday .

If the child is 10 years and 1 day old, you must purchase a full ticket.

Children's bus ticket up to what age in Russia 2020

Despite the free passage, the baby will still need a ticket. It can be purchased at the box office as a one-time payment for your ticket.

To do this, you need to provide your documents and the birth certificate of your son or daughter. You can also buy a ticket for a child directly on the train, but for a fee, so it’s better to settle this formality in advance. To begin with, let me remind you that starting from July 12, 2020, the requirement to use child restraints on buses has been removed from the traffic rules.

Such devices are required only in passenger cars and truck cabs.

So, transporting a child wearing a regular seat belt on a bus is not considered a violation. In this regard, carriers do not need to provide child seats.

Within the city, children aged 7 to 14 years can buy a child's ticket with a 50% discount on the full cost if they have a travel card. Orphans and the incapacitated. Have the right to a 50% discount on the full fare until they reach the age of majority. Children's tickets on intercity buses provide discount of 50% of the cost, in case of purchase for children aged 5 to 12 years Interesting: St. Petersburg Sberbank mortgage for secondary housing Price. A child from 5 to 10 years old takes a separate seat.

The ticket is purchased at a children's rate (the total cost will be somewhere in the region of 35-50% of an adult).

The exception is luxury carriages. Children under 10 years old travel for free.

If a child turns 10 years old on the day the train departs, the ticket can be issued at a child fare.

How it is issued. When buying a train ticket online, you simply add a child’s ticket to your order. Or you can buy a ticket for the child later (but he will not be able to board the train without an adult).

The online sales system itself will calculate the cost of the child fare and show it to you at the stage of entering passenger data.

Additionally. Children under 10 years of age cannot travel by rail unless accompanied by an adult (except when visiting an educational institution).

Cases when purchasing a ticket is mandatory

Some buses prohibit the transportation of people without a paid seat. For example, when traveling on some intercity routes . A child needs to buy a full or reduced ticket depending on his age.

If the bus has seat belts for passengers , it is impossible to transport children without providing them with separate seats. In this case, you must also purchase a ticket at a reduced rate.

It is prohibited to ride with a baby on your lap if the seat is equipped with belts, as this is too dangerous. If only an adult passenger is buckled up, he may not be able to hold the child. And when two people are fastened with one belt, under the weight of an adult, a child can suffer serious injuries to internal organs.

How to purchase a child ticket?

The procedure for obtaining these benefits is the same for both bus and rail transport. The passenger needs to perform a number of important actions. First, go to the ticket office and select a seat for the parent. Secondly, providing a document stating that the child is of an age eligible for transport benefits. And thirdly, upon boarding, present this document to the controller, conductor or conductor.

If the purchase of tickets was made online, then you must enter the details of the minor’s birth certificate or passport in a special field, and then also provide their originals to the authorized person upon departure.

Is a child seat required on the bus?

A child seat is a way to protect a child from severe consequences in the event of an accident. Unlike a car, a bus does not have to have such equipment, but according to regulations, the presence of seat belts is mandatory. The legislation of the Russian Federation states that every passenger, including children, must wear a seat belt. Accordingly, to travel on a bus equipped with seat belts, it is necessary to purchase separate seats for children. Otherwise, this will result in an administrative violation.

Car seat in public transport

Transporting children in a special seat is an optional, but desirable measure . This way you can protect your child from injury during sudden braking during an accident.

You are allowed to take your own car seat on public transport, especially when traveling long distances. Due to its small dimensions, it fits the description of hand luggage and does not require a separate ticket.

With some carriers you can leave a request for a car seat . This service is usually offered for a small additional fee.

Baby stroller in public transport

If the conductor-controller asks you to pay for the stroller as for luggage, is it worth buying a ticket? In such a situation, the law is completely on the side of the mother. A baby stroller is included in the list of items that are considered hand luggage .

Moreover, sleds are also allowed to be carried free of charge on public transport.

There are also some restrictions. You cannot take two types of hand luggage with you on transport free of charge. One must be paid for as baggage.

Also, the stroller should not interfere with the entry and exit of passengers. If she stands in the aisle of the bus, the conductor-controller or driver may refuse transportation. And in this case, the law will be on their side.

Filing a complaint about violation of rights

In public transport, controversial situations sometimes arise when employees exceed their authority.

For example, the conductor-controller requires payment for a baby stroller.

Or the tram driver suddenly braked, causing the child to be injured.

Any such actions can be appealed and compensation can be obtained.

The grounds for filing a complaint are:

• Gross violation of traffic rules by the driver.
• Violation of standards for boarding/disembarking passengers.
• Insults or use of force by a public transport employee.
• Refusal to provide discounted travel.
• Requirement to pay for a ticket for a baby stroller.
• Lack of seat belts in vehicles where they are provided.

Be sure to write down the vehicle number on which the incident occurred; exact date, time and place . It is advisable to indicate the name of the employee who violated the travel rules. You can also write down the phone numbers and contact details of people who witnessed the incident.

Each region of Russia has its own organizations that provide transport services. Contact details of the desired department can be found on the information board in transport. It is to this organization that the complaint should be sent first.

Violations of children's travel rules can be reviewed by the city administration. Complaints of this kind are also considered by the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation.

There are several ways to complain about the work of public transport employees:

1. Send a registered letter.
2. Call.
3. Fill out the electronic form.

The complaint may be considered within a month . If additional data or expertise is required, the period may be extended.

Where to complain if there are violations?

Often, drivers or inspectors, due to ignorance of the law, violate the rights of passengers. They oblige full payment for those services that are preferential. In addition, drivers often endanger the lives of the children and their parents they transport.

Reasons for filing a claim of infringement:

• Requiring payment of the full fare for a child's ticket;
• Insulting the honor and dignity of passengers;
• Dangerous driving in violation of traffic rules;
• Use of physical force against passengers and authorized persons;
• Smoking, loud music or talking on the phone by the driver of the vehicle;
• Failure to comply with the rules of boarding and disembarking, traveling with the bus door open.

If at least one point matches, then you need to file a complaint against the driver and the transportation company. It should contain:

• Name of company;
• Driver's initials and bus number;
• Description of violations with links to articles of current codes
• Full name of the compiler;
• Date and signature;
• Data of witnesses and eyewitnesses of violations;

The document should be submitted to the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, where it will be reviewed as soon as possible. A faster way to clarify the situation is to contact the numbers located on the information stand on the bus itself, if there is one.

What laws stipulate the rights of children in transport?

Permission to transport children in public transport on preferential terms can be found in the Civil Code of the Russian Federation . The information is contained in article No. 786 entitled “Contract for the carriage of passengers.”

It follows from this law that children are allowed to travel on public transport on preferential or free terms when they are with an adult passenger. Article No. 786 applies not only to urban routes, but also to intercity transport.

Another important document is the “ Charter of road transport and urban ground electric transport ”. Information on the travel of children is contained in Article 21.

Knowing your child’s rights will help you avoid many conflict situations and fines. Don't be afraid to file a complaint if travel rules have been violated. And always take with you on a trip a document indicating the child’s age.

Until what age is a child bus ticket valid?

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Moscow St. Petersburg » » » » Traveling by bus requires certain costs and hassle. And traveling with children, in addition to everything else, also requires responsibility.

In order not to encounter serious problems at the time of departure and not to spend extra money on transporting a child, you need to familiarize yourself in advance with all the rules and benefits that apply to children. In 2020, there is no single instruction that regulates the rules for traveling for children. Each type of transport has certain benefits.

Therefore, the relevant question is up to what age a child’s bus ticket is valid. To understand this, it is necessary to provide for all possible nuances.

Then parents can easily travel by bus with their children for free or at a discount.

First of all, you need to pay attention to the fact that according to Russian laws, children have the right to free travel or with a 50% discount in the following transport:

Discounts and benefits for children apply to all types of public transport without exception. But parents who take children on a trip should know that free travel can only be provided for one child.

Only a discount will be provided for the second and subsequent children.

If two adults and two children go on a trip, you can get free general tickets. They are distributed to one child and one adult. This is precisely where the savings on tickets lie, but in this case the children must be in their parents’ place for the entire trip. How much a bus ticket costs will mainly depend on the age of the children. Therefore, if students pay the full fare, then children can qualify for significant discounts.