Free Bus Pass scheme labelled "unsustainable& quot;

If the free travel goes then so many of us would cut down our many outings. We would have to be selective about journeys and local trade would soon notice a difference. Also, a chance to get out and visit places is essential for the mental health of so many elderly people. We use local buses and because of this we have recently given up our car. Without the freedom pass so many will keep driving past the age when they are safe to do so. Or will remain in their homes while rapidly declining in their ability to remain independent. I have chatted so many times to people I don’t know but who enjoy perhaps their only chance of normal spoken communication. With bills soaring even those who are not on pension credit would find the cost of regular bus fares a burden.

And remember when you read that, I vote Conservative.

Well said, GSM.

Although I don’t have a bus pass and no buses to use it on, they must be a lifeline for many people who don’t have a car and can’t afford a taxi. Just to be able to get out and exchange a smile and a friendly greeting means so much to people who are lonely and isolated. In fact it means so much to all of us. But even the current low fares may be too much for many, if getting out on the bus is their sole means of contact with others. I would strongly oppose bus passes ceasing or being subject to a means test. So many wouldn’t want to apply. Maybe, if absolutely necessary, a small annual charge. There but for the grace of God …

How would you decide who could afford those things and who couldn't?

Seriously - what gives someone the right to decide which outgoings are 'worthy' and which 'extravagances' that someone has no right to after a lifetime of working? And what about spending? If you have saved so that your old age can be comfortable, should someone who hasn't be given things that you have to pay for? Why?

I’ve never understood why the taxpayer has had to subsidise people purely on the basis of age. It needs scrapping and starting again. It should be means tested for all. If people can afford to pay for bus passes, prescriptions and tv licences then so they should. Help really ought to be targeted at the poor, regardless of age. Especially now when there are so many crippling bills for poorer pensioners and families.

rafichagran

I don't agree that bus passes should only be available to people on pension credit, UC, some older people are living on state pension alone, and they really could not afford to lose the freedom pass.

Absolutely. Means testing just deters people from making provision for themselves. It's really unfair, divisive, and mean-spirited, IMO.

Figures I have found :

max weekly UK :£141, Germany £ 507, France £ 304
Spain £ 513.
Iam sure I will be told that these are not accurate.

It should not be a post code lottery. My county council has recently taken over some rural bus routes where the companies were going to axe them as unprofitable.
I live very near a bus stop on a good bus route into the city. It takes huge numbers of cars off the roads, saves on parking problems and encourages people to get out and about, putting money into the local economy, socialising, getting to appointments. It is one of the reasons we chose to live here. But not everyone is as fortunate.
I would gladly pay a reasonable annual sum to keep my bus pass, like the senior rail card. Some places let you choose one or the other fee. I didn’t bother getting one when I was still working. It didn't feel right somehow. The first free bus of the day, after 9.30 is always full of pensioners. It helps to keep a good service running.

I don't agree that bus passes should only be available to people on pension credit, UC, some older people are living on state pension alone, and they really could not afford to lose the freedom pass.

I heard that too ,Sky dancer.
I believe that the old age pension is among the lowest in Europe.

I heard that bus passes were given to pensioners because UK pensions were so low. No idea if it's true.

sassysaysso

grannysyb

We live in London, use our freedom passes nearly every day. If we had to pay we wouldn't be able to afford to go up to museums, theatres, eating out etc . Cost of a day travel card in London is now over £15. Means testing is very costly. Perhaps the freedom pass could be part of taxable income?

Theatre going and eating out is expensive and beyond the means of many with or without free public transport. What you're doing in effect is to expect the tax payer to subsidise these luxury activities for you.

On the other hand, free public transport takes people into towns and cities where they mostly go to spend money. Museums, theatres, restaurants - not to mention shops - employ people.

If the footfall drops considerably, business will close, city centres and towns will die and become desolate and empty eventually.

We need an infrastructure, we need integrated and affordable public transport, for the benefit of the nation as a whole.

I'm not aware of free transport for people on benefits, but yes, disability passes would be included. I understand about cuts to council funds, but IMO transport should be a central matter, rather than a postcode lottery.

Of course it is more viable to run a transport system in a large city than in a small town, and it is rarely going to be even possible to break even in an area with outlying farms and villages. But we all pay tax at the same rates wherever we live, and should all be able to get from A to B to be able to access services and facilities. Busy routes should subsidise quiet ones, and nobody should be unable to get to a doctor or a shop for want of a bus.

You ned to add in disability bus passes and people on basic state benefits. But councils have seen their income cut year on year and it's so difficult -take the money from care provision? Child protection? It has to be nationally recognised and councils adequately funded.

I also recognise great efforts from especially rural communities who have made community bus arrangements part volunteer run, good for them.

winterwhite

Have also to factor in that now impossible to find easy parking in towns in order to encourage people to use buses despite fact that in many places there are next to no buses.

Buses should become a public service and funded adequately through council tax. Yes, increased council tax, including IMO a modest annual charge for bus pass for all over 70s ex those on income support. Much can be done without means testing.

In my home town there are so many new peripheral estates too far out of town to walk easily, and every house seems to have two cars. As a consequence, there are never any parking spaces, and those that do exist are on meters, which puts off visitors who prefer to drive a bit further into the city.

When we moved there, there were shuttle buses from the town centre to the edges of town (in different directions) and the majority of people used them. They stopped years ago when the council (Tory) cut the subsidies. Mostly they were used by young mums who paid the same fare as they would have done on public transport and older people who used their passes.

I doubt they broke even, but it made such a difference for people wanting to get to day centres etc in the town centre. Now there is a huge gap between people with cars who can use things like U3A, the WI and so on, and those who can't afford the fares to get to meetings, even if there is a bus to take them. It really is a quality of life issue, and all the cars on the road are bad for the environment, too.

We deliberately bought a house near a bus stop with frequent buses into Edinburgh. DH commuted to work every day for 35 years. I used the car for carting DC and shopping.

I have had my free bus pass for 15 years and I use it often.
I agree with Elegran that removal of it could lead to much loneliness and isolation for many which would inevitably cost an awful lot for the public purse
Like others, I could afford something towards the cost for myself from my pension which would be preferable to losing the pass and the freedom which goes with it.

Well it surely wouldn't be a vote winner, I don't think any Party in power would do it.

Have also to factor in that now impossible to find easy parking in towns in order to encourage people to use buses despite fact that in many places there are next to no buses.

Buses should become a public service and funded adequately through council tax. Yes, increased council tax, including IMO a modest annual charge for bus pass for all over 70s ex those on income support. Much can be done without means testing.

Public transport here is dire, and yes, I think that is reflected in the state of many high streets, as well as loneliness and limited aspirations for people who can't get from town to town easily.

My home town is fairly affluent, and I can walk from home to the centre of it to get to shops and restaurants etc, but the poorer areas are on the outskirts and people with young children, older or disabled people can't easily walk in. This is divisive even before you factor in that those in surrounding villages have no GPs or schools, and that whereas it is possible for those in the various towns that surround the nearest city can get to the city centre relatively easily (if not cheaply) there is no service between the towns themselves. This means that businesses can't rely on customers or clients from people who may live only 15 miles or so away, as they will have to go into the city centre and out again to get to them without a car.

Londoners can get about very easily and cheaply, and it is high time that this model was extended across the country.

If it wasn’t for free bus passes I think our local shopping centre would be empty in the week. And people probably spend the money they save on a coffee while they’re out. The reason why I stay in my house is because it’s on a good bus route and I know I can get out and about if I stop driving. And many people use their bus pass to get to the supermarket in the next village or our doctors which is in the nearby town.

Witzend

Where we live (very good public transport) I’m sure they keep quite a few cars off the road. I certainly use mine a lot less since I’ve had the Freedom Pass.

Yes, I think that is true here too. Sadly, since it only operates after 9am, I have to pay the fare when I take my granddaughter to school in the morning - though I can usually use it on the way home.
Personally I think that those who are still working should not get a pass but I've no idea how that could be managed.
I certainly wouldn't mind paying for it as I use it very regularly so it's worthwhile for me. Here in Greater London we can use it on underground and overground trains too.
I think they could also use the pass to replace the Senior Railcard and wouldn't mind having to pay a reduced level train fare.

I definitely don't think they should be means-tested, but I don't think that anything should, really. I would prefer to see subsidised public transport for everyone, extended into rural areas, with charges made for using cars, so that more people would opt for the cheap and convenient option of buses.

grannysyb

We live in London, use our freedom passes nearly every day. If we had to pay we wouldn't be able to afford to go up to museums, theatres, eating out etc . Cost of a day travel card in London is now over £15. Means testing is very costly. Perhaps the freedom pass could be part of taxable income?

Theatre going and eating out is expensive and beyond the means of many with or without free public transport. What you're doing in effect is to expect the tax payer to subsidise these luxury activities for you.

maddyone

I have a bus pass, but never use it. I think people should pay a subscription for it.

Agree, 10 pounds per year. Will bring in a substantial amount. Those on pension credit can still go freely.