Please Stop Using Bus Passes - Transport Secretary

mumps

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I can use my bus pass on buses, metro tram and trains within the West Midland area, and on buses throughout England.

Do you know if it is only residents who can use passes on metro, tram and trains? It would be useful for us when we are visiting family.

seven-day-weekend

I think it is only the passes issued by Centro that can be used on the trams (the metro is the tram) and trains.

aloise

sh1305 wrote: »

There is no such thing as different tax codes for parents now.



Not aimed at your dh or anyone in particular; but I'm sure there are many older people who shouldn't be out on the road.

Agree with you completely. Hate being in the car with him, his reflexes are a lot slower and of course it's an age thing. He is 76 now and i won't be letting him drive at 80.:eek:

tanith

mumps wrote: »

No the bus pass age is chaging in line with retirement age so I won't get mine till 63.

OH was 60 this month but can't get his pass till September... but its looking like he is going to be one of the lucky ones as this Government are now going to bring that change to 65 earlier than it was so those who get caught won't be able to claim it till 65 much sooner than was thought.. I hope they don't think they can get away with taking it away from those of us who just turned 60:o

Errata

sh1305 wrote: »

Not aimed at your dh or anyone in particular; but I'm sure there are many older people who shouldn't be out on the road.

And even more young and middle aged people.

exil

Something that should be pointed out - the pass actually doesn't cost that much as the "marginal cost" of one extra person on a bus at off-peak times is more or less zero. It only costs money if the person concerned would have made the journey anyway.

My mother uses her bus pass to travel into town to work in a charity shop. No bus pass? It would then cost her £2 a day (assuming 1/2 price travel continued). There's no way she would continue working if it cost her this much to do so. So, she would have no incentive to get out of the house and meet people and would probably limit her travel to a once-weekly shopping trip rather than travelling more or less every day, to shops and social events, to visit friends and generally keep active, as she does now.

margaretclare

aloise wrote: »

Agree with you completely. Hate being in the car with him, his reflexes are a lot slower and of course it's an age thing. He is 76 now and i won't be letting him drive at 80.

Why don't you do the driving, then?

I disagree that "of course" it's an age thing. It's an individual thing, and there is no "of course" about it.

DH and I have just come back from holiday to Ireland and he did all the driving. That means: he drove from Essex to Swansea and then from Cork to Killarney, and thereafter many many miles of scenic routes, narrow country roads, mountain passes, places where the only living creatures were sheep and the only other vehicles were farmers' trucks or the odd tourist like ourselves. So, a complete contrast between motorway driving this end and very rural driving at the other end. A few occasions served to demonstrate that there is nothing at all wrong with his reflexes and his sight is better than it ever was following his cataract surgery a couple of years ago - the surgery also corrected his short sight. At no time, even in the wildest locations, did I ever feel unsafe and insecure with him at the wheel. He'll be 76 at the end of this year.

While we were there a terrible road accident was reported in the Inishowen peninsula in the extreme north-west of Ireland. Tragically, mainly young men were killed, as well as a local farmer aged 62 who was hit head-on. The driver of the car was doing his mates a favour - he was the only one who hadn't, as the Irish say, 'had a drink taken'. They were all young petrol-heads who loved their cars, but also who liked going out, as they do. One was buried on his 20th birthday. The reports I read backed off from apportioning blame, but one contributory factor must have been the fact that 8 young guys were packed into a car which had seat-belts only for 5.

I would submit that this is not the sort of risk-taking that our generation indulges in and that making sweeping statements about who should or should not be on the roads is not very helpful.

anitainjune

We use our pass especially on holiday, we go more places because of having it but always spend money where ever we are. If we didn't have the pass extra journeys or long ones would not be taken.
Our car is used for essential journeys, as we are slightly disabled we have to park near shopping centres, driving and parking in town centres is a costly nightmare. Bus stations are usually central.
We would be happy to pay a nominal amount but please don't take the pass away.
Thank you

brewerdave

I now get a bus pass - I use it a couple of times a month for social reasons(not drinking and driving,getting a haircut etc )- I could definitely afford to pay the fare...but why should I ?? I've paid huge amounts of Income Tax over the years and still pay ridiculous amounts of Council Tax - I don't claim anything at all from the state currently so, in comparison with others, my "state subsidy" is extremely modest. As others have said, I'll pay for my bus travel when those in "authority" in National and Local Government curb their enthusiasm for taxis, chauffeurs and 1st class travel!!

Francesanne

I'm probably classed as one of 'the better off' but I'm longing to get my freedom pass. However I now have to wait until I'm 61 before I can claim mine. We have a car but I don't drive and rely on my husband. He's currently in hospital after serious operation and I need to use the bus frequently & it does work out expensive. I've saved money by having an Oyster card but a freedom pass would be much welcome. I worked full time for 38 years, have no children and have never claimed a benefit, so I will feel no guilt over claiming my pass when the time comes but knowing my luck they'll have phased it out by then.