Oyster cards have been rather recently introduced as a 'simpler and easier way of travel'. However is this statement true? Under 16 oyster cards in particular are a complete nuisance. I, myself have lost my oyster card at least five times resulting in the rather large sum of 10 pounds per oyster card. This can result in a very high cost for someone 14 years old.

Oyster cards are made up of plastic as everyone knows, however inside the plastic is a very small, thin, delicate chip. This chip is what makes the oyster card work and due to its fragile characteristic it is very easily broken. All you have to do is put the slightest amount of weight on it and it will bend and break.

The oyster card is used by under 16's really just to prove the age of it's user so they can get a free ride on buses. However when I have lost my oyster card and brought my passport to the bus driver proving my age he did not accept this. I was still charged a fee for travel. Aren't under 16's meant to have free travel on buses? Considering the quality of a passport is much higher and difficult if not impossible to duplicate, it should be acceptable.

Bus drives in general are also quite rude and inconsiderate to those underage who forget or misplace their oyster cards. There have been several occasions when I have been subjected to confrontational treatment as well as some of my fellow classmates. If a child forgets to tap in their oyster the bus driver shouts down the bus in an animalistic fashion often scaring the child to death. On several occasions children have been so frightened they have been nearly in tears. Is this behavior really worth the £2 bus fare the driver could receive?

However there are a few positive points of the oyster card. For example, as long as you don't break or lose it, you can have free travel on buses if you are under sixteen. Also the fare is cheaper if you are traveling as an adult; due to the day travel fare. It is a simpler way to travel in the sense that you can top up money onto it once a week instead of paying for a travel card everyday.

Additionally, it is environmentally friendly as we are not wasting paper used to make the travel cards. However to improve this situation i think bus's should have complaint boxes in which people can write about their thoughts on the travel. Also i think that as long as you can prove you are under the age required to pay you should not have to.

Oyster cards are good however they should be made more sturdy and strong so they can last longer and be more effective.