I am stepping forward after noticing an unsettling mismatch in the definition of adulthood rendered by our government and transport companies. Specifically in London, a travel card for adults ranges from £20 to £30, certainly not an amount a teenager is expected to pay out of pocket comfortably. Surprisingly, this burden is placed on 16 and 17 year olds who are charged as adults while a child's travel card remains at 50% of that cost. Whilst the government has yet to classify a 16 year old in the same light as an adult, I find it unreasonable for transport companies to do so.

This disparity evokes a need for us to put into question the fairness of our systems. Is it not unjust that a 16 year old should not be allowed to vote, buy tobacco or alcohol, yet is considered adult enough to bear the brunt of full-fledged adult fares?

Let us remind ourselves of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, according to which an individual below 18 is considered a child. This should be enough to show us that a 16 year old is not yet an adult.

I am calling upon these travel companies, law makers and every one of you, reading this petition, to advocate for fairness. Let's push for the age limit of adult travel tickets to be increased from 16 to 18. It's time we establish a fair system that recognises and respects the financial boundaries of our youth. Can we stand together in this call to adjust the age limit? Please, sign this petition.