Free bus pass under threat?

EdInvestor

kittie wrote: »

Thay ARE being abused by some. We have all come across oaps who go three times a week to lovely seaside resorts for the day and the other days they do their shopping etc. The bus pass is meant to help with costs for shopping, dentist visits etc. I would say keep it but restrict it to three uses a week

I think you could have the wrong end of the stick with that idea. A key factor of the free bus passes is to 'end pensioner isolation', ie to encourage them to get out and about (including on day trips to the seaside).

The reason for this is the more old people lurk inside and stare at the walls or the telly, the less exercise and stimulation they get.Thus the more prone they are to develop various degenerative illnesses, including dementia.

Then guess who generally has to pick up the tab for their care? The council. And it's a massive amount of money, as we know.Much better to spend a little now, keep these oldies on their feet and mobile, in touch with their community and in a fit and healthy state.

If a few better-off people get out and about more as well,that's no bad thing as their spending on days out will help local businesses, who provide jobs and pay commercial rates.Again, the council wins.:T

scotsbob

EdInvestor wrote: »

Of the (many) young female pensioners I know, not a single one has white hair.I'd say white hair kicks in some time around aged 75.

Oh I see what you mean now, it's about pedantics.

Let me rephrase for you then.

I mean if you are a 65 year old blonde haired lady with glasses you don't "lend" it to a 50 year old dark haired man. You "lend" it to your 58 year old blonde haired sister.

Bogof_Babe

So once again it's the poor old English whose interests are on the chopping block then, while the pampered Welsh and Scots laugh all the way to the bus stop? :mad:

Are we actually allowed to be English these days? It seems to be being discouraged :rolleyes:.

scotsbob

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

So once again it's the poor old English whose interests are on the chopping block then, while the pampered Welsh and Scots laugh all the way to the bus stop? :mad:

Are we actually allowed to be English these days? It seems to be being discouraged :rolleyes:.

Questiopn of priorities really. The English invest money in domes, wheels and Olympics. Others invest in subsidised travel.

Bogof_Babe

scotsbob wrote: »

Questiopn of priorities really. The English invest money in domes, wheels and Olympics. Others invest in subsidised travel.

Not in my name they don't :mad:.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

kittie wrote: »

Complete rubbish and you know it. Thay ARE being abused by some. We have all come across oaps who go three times a week to lovely seaside resorts for the day and the other days they do their shopping etc. The bus pass is meant to help with costs for shopping, dentist visits etc. I would say keep it but restrict it to three uses a week

Re entitlement, well I fall through that psychological net as I have never stretched my entitlement on the backs of others. We have certainly become a nation of take, take take

Re wales: yes we are definitely keeping bus passes and they are swiped

Why should'nt pensioners go out somewhere nice every day.
They're entitled.
Just because you might not like to visit the seaside or whatever is of no concern.
They could use it to go clubbing every night with it for all we should care.
They were given it to use,free of charge and use it they should.
I feel the same way about this as I do about how a family spend their child benefit.
It's no ones business.

Bogof_Babe

My OH uses his to get up to his little 2 hours a day school cleaning job. It wouldn't be worth his while going if he had to pay the £3 round trip bus fare. (There's very little parking at the school so they discourage using cars).

scotsbob

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

Not in my name they don't :mad:.

It is in your name, it's called democracy.

Bogof_Babe

scotsbob wrote: »

It is in your name, it's called democracy.

Well I didn't vote for them!

seven-day-weekend

kittie wrote: »

Complete rubbish and you know it. Thay ARE being abused by some. We have all come across oaps who go three times a week to lovely seaside resorts for the day and the other days they do their shopping etc. The bus pass is meant to help with costs for shopping, dentist visits etc. I would say keep it but restrict it to three uses a week

Re entitlement, well I fall through that psychological net as I have never stretched my entitlement on the backs of others. We have certainly become a nation of take, take take

Re wales: yes we are definitely keeping bus passes and they are swiped

And the problem is?