scotland wide travel - free for over 60's and disabled

theenquirer

Fraserca,
You're talking rubbish.
I am over 60. I pay full Council Tax, I pay Income Tax and yes I also get the travel card free.
I have never driven or owned a car. Travelled all my life to work and back again and other places I had to go and paid dearly for it. Now that this is available to me, sure I will take it. I get !!!!!! all else. Don't judge everyone the same. I see lots of silver travellers on the buses and think that this is good as it gets them out and about a bit. They didn't ask for the free travel they were given it. Tell your councilor/msp or whatever and vote by what you believe. That's the only answer.
By the way, I live in Ayrshire too. Not that this matters.

margaretclare

I agree with Fraserca in that 'all over 60s are not broke'.

The Enquirer: fine, if you use the buses and it will make a difference to your life, I have no problem with that.

I didn't ask for the free travel either, I'm unlikely to use it (not having used my half-fare pass more than half-a-dozen times in nearly 10 years) and I've sent the bus pass back. There are places, and not necessarily rural either, where there is NO bus service that people can use. In addition there are people - like the lady who lives opposite me, who goes out by taxi once a week - who couldn't use the bus anyway. When she goes out the taxi picks her up at her door, otherwise she has a motorised buggy. She couldn't walk to the bus stop!

Instead of this 'scattergun' approach I feel it would be much better to have these 'freebies' targeted to those who need them, will use them and can benefit from them.

People have said to me: 'Isn't it lovely, now you can go anywhere in the county free by bus'. They're a bit amazed when I say I've sent the bus pass back.

I've just got back to driving after several months, and I'm enjoying the independence.

Margaret Clare

irnbru_2

margaretclare wrote:

Instead of this 'scattergun' approach I feel it would be much better to have these 'freebies' targeted to those who need them, will use them and can benefit from them.

Implementation wise, it's probably more cost efficient to offer it universally than provided it as a means-tested benefit.

margaretclare

irnbru wrote:

Implementation wise, it's probably more cost efficient to offer it universally than provided it as a means-tested benefit.

When I said 'benefit from' it I actually meant 'make use of it, it would be of use to the person'.

'Offer it' is fine. So long as no one thinks I'm an oddity because I say 'thanks but no thanks'!

What has happened hereabouts, in some of the council areas in Essex (that's in England) is that the council has been inundated with applicants, queues round the block, and it is thought that a lot of those applying only want this freebie just because it is free, not because they intend to use it. I don't know how they drew this conclusion but the fact is that the council has to pay a fee to the bus companies for every one of these free passes issued. This is what I really object to. I've said before - if the pass is of use to you and will enhance your life, I've no problem. I don't like the idea of the council paying out money for passes that will sit in a drawer unused - after all, this money has to come from somewhere and no doubt it could be put to better use.

Margaret Clare

crutches

i have one of these for wales.since i had to give up drivining its a godsend.My disabled pass means on a good day(1xweek) i can go to my quaker meeting or shopping or to the gp without relying on DH.The bus prices here are prohibitive.Trains are cheaper per mile but there are none to most places i need to go.
i'm very grateful to the welsh assembly for this.Even with 1 bus most hours it means i have my dignity back.
When i worked i assumed my taxes went to those who needed it and i did not begrudge it.I hope noone begrudges my bus pass.

margaretclare

crutches wrote:

i'm very grateful to the welsh assembly for this. Even with 1 bus most hours it means i have my dignity back.
When i worked i assumed my taxes went to those who needed it and i did not begrudge it. I hope no one begrudges my bus pass.

No - no one begrudges it at all, because you are one of the people who will really make use of it and it will make a difference to your life. I've made that clear in everything I've written. To give you back mobility, independence and dignity - that's what it should all be about.

Margaret Clare

Former_MSE_Forum_Manager

Hi All

I've reviewed the thread and i think it can now be closed. The point of the thread has become secondary to some very forthright views which we shouldnt be getting into outside the discussion board (and even there this is getting very heated). Please remember to be nice to other moneysavers