General Chat

I understand that bus companies get money from Government anyway. As part of the Green Initiative. (perhaps for other reasons too)
Allowing pensioners to travel free just increases the number of passengers on the subsidised buses.

The main cost to the Government (and therefore the public) is the running costs of running the scheme. Changing it to a means tested scheme would considerably increase those costs, as well as the time taken to process each application.

I like to spend money on family history research too. Having a free bus pass has enabled me to visit places where records are kept, as well as the places my ancestors came from. I was also able to spend some money in little local shops, while researching my ancestry,helping to keep them open.
Lots of pensioners pay income tax as well as council tax, so we are already paying into the scheme. Having of course paid bus fares for many, many years, before reaching the magic age of 60.

Tess

A

Tess,

Yes we would all like free transport but it costs money.

Do you have a suggestion as to how this should be paid for? At the moment most of the cost falls on the Local Authority who would have to increase council taxes to pay for sustaining it. The government don't have the money and even if they did it has to come out of taxes.

I still think that a better solution would be to charge a reduced fare, rather than none at all.

Thanks Bernie,
and perhaps the ones that will still qualify for a pass after the means test are those people that cannot afford to run a car.
So the number of vars on the road will stay the same, Bus services may be cut as some people won't be able to afford the fare and government won't be giving the bus companies a subsidy.
Instead they will be forking money in unemployment pay for ex bus drivers, (plus bus cleaners, maintenance workers etc)
Plus more pensioners will stay at home possibly increasing their fuel bills, (and increasing pollution). health of these pensioners may suffer, increasing the cost to the Health Service. Plus longer time onHospital waiting lists etc.
Perhaps even people who could be part of the work force will have to wait longer for appointments. They will be getting sickness benefits instead of a wage etc. ,etc., etc.,

I will let you know if I find a petition. If we get get one onto the Downing Street Site, Government will have to take notice. After all, it would make sense to listen to possible voters.
I would not vote for a government that proposes withdrawing the free bus pass.

Tess

Don't think a petition will do much good Tess but I would sign one if there is such a thing.

I am very annoyed because when the scheme was introduced the government said it was to encourage people to leave cars at home and use public transport. Now that is what we are doing they are saying it costs too much and want to means test it to stop those with higher pensions from getting it. So these people will use cars again !!!!!!!

Does anyone know if there is a petition re keeping the free bus passes?

I would be interested in signing one if there is. I know that there is now a Downing Street site for petitions, how do I find out if there is already a petition on there?

even if they are now saying that bus passes are not going to be withdrawn, a petition signed by thousands+ + + of people would probably dissuade the powers that be, from withdrawing them in the future.

Tess

I agree with Colin, the pension should be higher but there should be no concessions so that we are free to spend our money as we wish.

If I choose to spend my time at home doing family history and my neighbour spends his travelling to the seaside on buses, why should I subsidise his past-time but he not subsidise mine?

Rita, in our area, South Wales, there is free transport by hospital car if you need it. The sister on the dept that you visit can authorise it. It is also free in Herefordshire no matter how often you need it. Are you sure you have enquired everywhere? Try your hospitals transport office.

The bus pass scheme is for your own country and is not for across border use.
Scottish and Welsh bus pas holders cannot use them in England and we English cannot use ours in Wales or Scotland.

When asked by a passenger Why she as taking note of ALL passengers getting on bus and was it to find out how many were traveling for free, the lady said the powers that be like to know which bus routes are well used etc,on tihs another person commented that She expected that the bus company ran at aloss due to ALL the Bus passes! To which the Lady told her in very firm tones that without the money that the Goverment pays towards the bus passes many bus companys would go under. WHO are we to belive? I Will say that any Political Party that says it going to do away with them will have a fight on their hands.the freedom and sence of worth they haven given some would be VERY Cruel to take away.It makes so many of us independant,which keeps us active, which keeps us well!!
Which keeps us OUT of our doctors surgurys as much as we possibly can.

They have said that it was mis-reported about the means testing and that there are no plans to do so, they are just looking at other ways of managing the passes because the way it is done now is not working properly. We were able to use our passes in exmouth to Exteter this week and it was great.

Ann
Glos

Hi Rita sorry about your husband. If I lost mine I know I would have to move and I do fully agree with bus passes. It sounds such a trek for you to get to the hospital. Is there not a transportation system at the hospital you could use

My Mum was ranting down the phone to me last night on this subject.

She goes out most days of the week, mainly to get out the flat, and probably uses her bus pass 2 or 3 times a week.

Most of the time she uses the bus for her shopping, hairdresser, dentist etc but does go to visit the cemetary.

She would not be happy to lose her bus pass

Maureen

Hi Rita we have to rely on cars but since my stroke in April and follow on fits I'm unable to drive, so have to rely on when OH is around

Brinsley, that would be OK for most, but some would really suffer. There are not enough passengers for any buses to run in my area, though they run constantly 1mile and a half down the road. We either have to have use of a car or take a taxi. £10 there and back the 2 miles to the town centre.

The reason they are considered to be too expensive is because local authorities are having to subsidise the bus companies out of the council tax as the government only party funds the scheme.

In some areas where the local authority can't afford to pay, the bus company has simply withdrawn services so no-one wins.

I would much rather see a scheme where where reduced fares are charged, perhaps a third of the normal full fare, rather than free to all.

Well the government wants people to use cars less, so what are they up to.
With the price of petrol and car parking, they are a God send.

Mo

Just heard on sky news to night that some goverment department has come up with the idea that "middle class" over 60s should be means tested for their bus passes but this is not likely to happen before the general election.
lynn

well we dont have busses so not an issue here

Hello Jean....just seen this....l thought l heard this evening that Wales will not lose the bus pass. Hope l'm right as l have only just got mine!!

jude:o) x

Im sorry you should all lose your free bus passes and other concessions etc....But you should receive a pension that is based on a decent living standard not a survival one