Morcombe bus policy being abused: govt

The memory of slain schoolboy Daniel Morcombe is being used by children to dodge bus fares, drivers in southeast Queensland say.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson has called a meeting with drivers and their union over concerns that some children and parents are routinely exploiting the “no child left behind” principle to avoid paying fares.

The policy was put in place after Daniel, 13, was taken from a bus stop on the Sunshine Coast in December, 2003.

His remains were found late last year and a man has been charged with his murder.

Mr Emerson says it’s not only the thought of kids exploiting Daniel’s story that’s shocking, but the attitude that goes with it when drivers ask their names.

“When children who flatly refuse to pay a fare are telling drivers that their name is Donald Duck then something is terribly wrong,” he said.

“I accept there may not be a simple solution but it needs to be tackled rather than ignored.”

More than 500 complaints are made each year about children left behind.

Friday’s meeting will also discuss other driver complaints about passenger behaviour.

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