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Free Bus Pass scheme labelled "unsustainable& quot;

(108 Posts)
sassysaysso Sat 01-Jul-23 07:23:02

Sadly, it was a matter of time before free travel schemes for the disabled and elderly became a target. As the proud owner of a Freedom Pass, I would be happy to pay a small annual subscription. Rather that than the scheme was cut entirely.

www.theguardian.com/money/2023/jul/01/councils-in-england-hit-by-unsustainable-450m-bill-for-free-bus-passes

GrannyGravy13 Mon 03-Jul-23 12:43:30

Grammaretto

You don't have to have a bus pass to use buses grannygravy . You can buy a ticket.
You would be doing your bit to cut the number of car journeys.

I am well aware of that Grammaretto

Norah Mon 03-Jul-23 12:51:34

Whitewavemark2

This morning I met a group of three ladies and we wondered around together, and I mentioned about the bus passes and they were horrified. They were saying that they could walk down to the shopping centre but walking back with shopping would be impossible so they would have to take the bus. One said that with the cost of everything going up she is beginning to cut back on stuff week on week - so where she once bought something every week she has cut back to every other week now. They are ladies in their late 70s and early 80s, widowed with no means to transport - they own their own property except one who pays rent and is finding life incredibly difficult. She has no children (son died) and only a sister-in-law in similar circumstances as far as I can make out.

This is the next crises I think.

I agree.

Bus passes, for all who live in areas where usable (we do not) are critical to well being. There are many other cuts I'd much prefer.

Norah Mon 03-Jul-23 12:58:28

Doodledog Someone should take charge of the whole public transport system, and ensure that it is cheap, clean, safe and reliable. They could then make car use less attractive, which would cut the need for clean air zones and arguments about parking. Other countries can manage it (eg Switzerland) so why can't we?

Agreed. Public transportation is effective in other small countries.

I vote Doodledog as bus-minister for all the United Kingdom. She's sensitive, smart, articulates so well, and thinks out of the lines.

Chocolatelovinggran Mon 03-Jul-23 13:32:48

The alternative is that buses run nearly empty...not sure that's great either.

Doodledog Mon 03-Jul-23 13:35:48

I vote Doodledog as bus-minister for all the United Kingdom. She's sensitive, smart, articulates so well, and thinks out of the lines.
That’ll keep me off the streets grin.

Will there be a free pass as part of my package?

Maggiemaybe Mon 03-Jul-23 14:07:13

Chocolatelovinggran

The alternative is that buses run nearly empty...not sure that's great either.

Ours often do. I sometimes feel I’m in an oversized taxi. And this of course is one of the reason why routes are cut and our service into town, which used to run 3 times an hour, is now hourly, and finishes at 6pm.

And yet we queue in traffic for ages to get through the crossroads up the road, acknowledged to be the most polluted in the district.

kittylester Mon 03-Jul-23 14:21:04

WWM2 agreed but it is better than nothing and opens some doors.

In reply to your reply to me!