isoulsby001 I lived in London for 40 years but left not long before I was 60, so I felt a bit cheated to have to wait for my Bus Pass! I do really feel for women born in the 1950's who have to wait for their pensions, I was lucky and only had to wait 2 years, but some of my slightly younger friends will have to wait for years.
In most areas passes can only be used after the morning rush hour, to give working people a better chance of getting onto public transport, but I agree with Riverwalk that most discounts are offered to put "bums on seats" and I don't feel that other people are disadvantaged by older people's discounts. They tend to be offered at times when many people are working in any case. If people can't work for some genuine reason they are given similar benefits. This isn't a smug pensioners response, my own daughter has a disability and does get a bus pass!
I didn't realise that prescriptions were free after 60 and went on paying for them. Also thought that the railcard was only available after pensionable age? Rail fares are so high now that even discounted prices are too high for many people. I often use National Express coaches, they can cost as little as £2 for a journey that would cost £50+ on the trains.
Our local authority has a card for all their council tax payers that gives free or discounted entrance to many attractions, regardless of age. Many residents' associations also negotiate discounts with local businesses for their member, and their membership fees are usually negligible.
