Free Bus Pass scheme labelled "unsustainable& quot;

Wouldn't be without mine. Excellent public transport links where I live in suburban Tyneside, with buses into Newcastle approx every 16 minutes. I also pay a mere £12 per year for a Metro Gold Card for Seniors which gives me unlimited travel on Metro (local rail network), the Shields Ferry and Northern Rail services between Newcastle and Sunderland from 9.30am Monday-Friday, and all day at weekends. Very well served here.

We have to make sure that those who need it most free can continue, not sure how, as means testing is complicated. it would have to be done at the point of getting the pass.

£2 or £2.50 is a lot if you are on benefits or basic pensions, but clearly some could afford to chip in.

Not easy, is it?

For some it's the only "outing" you can get and manage financially.

I have noticed locally (this is city living, not the very complex rural situations, which I dont know enough about to comment on) that buses are very much more used in the poorer parts of the city - long queues at bus stops, full buses.

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.

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

I think it’s a doggy area, unless you want to get into means testing.

I sold my van to see if I could live more ethically and just use public transport. That was seven years ago and I venture everywhere by bus/train and love it. I would happily pay a subscription amount or a reduced fare every time I use a bus.