Bus passes again

margaretclare

I received my replacement free bus pass for the next 5 years but I've decided to send it back.

I don't want it or need it, and it is obviously costing money somewhere.

I only used the last one once and am unlikely to use this one. When we used to pay £12 a year for a half-fare pass, from memory I only used that one half a dozen times in 10 years.

Apparently if you get one but can't use it you are supposed to send it back anyway.

alanq

margaretclare wrote: »

Apparently if you get one but can't use it you are supposed to send it back anyway.

Who says so?

The Transport Secretary was quoted as saying "The bus passes only cost the taxpayer if they are used". The administration cost of issuing you with a pass has already been incurred and by returning it you will probably cause further cost to be incurred.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1292054/Fares-fair--dont-use-bus-passes-says-Tory.html

lilac_lady

I've used mine 3 times in 3 years but I wouldn't send it back. With the price of petrol it's an option for the future.

tanith

I do have a car but sometimes when I know somewhere is going to be busy parking wise I'll take the bus its a lot less hassle than driving round finding a spot.. I don't use it much but its handy to have... can't see how its going to save money as its only charged for when you use it..

Newly_retired

I use mine quite a lot. It saves the hassle and cost of parking and of petrol.

chesky369

I use mine all the time but, being a London Freedom pass, I can not only use it on buses, but on the tube and British rail trains in London. Saves me an absolute fortune in fares.

tanith

Yes I forgot I use it on the tube when I need to, haven't used it on the trains yet though I'll have to investigate that...

seven-day-weekend

When I am in the UK (usually June-November) I use my bus pass all the time. As someone says, it saves the cost and hassle of parking. I can also use it on the Metro (tram between Wolverhampton and Birmingham) and any trains within West Midlands county. Last year I also used it in Co. Durham and Oxford. This year I will use it in at least Co. Durham, Oxford and Norwich as well as within the West Midlands.

So, nationwide bus travel, plus tram and rail travel within the West Midlands, must be very MSE....no way am I sending mine back.

I agree if you are not mobile enough to use public transport, or your bus service is non-existent, then it is not a lot of use to you....but there are many of us who benefit from it, please don't spoilit for us!

tanith

margaretclare wrote: »

I received my replacement free bus pass for the next 5 years but I've decided to send it back.

I don't want it or need it, and it is obviously costing money somewhere.

I only used the last one once and am unlikely to use this one. When we used to pay £12 a year for a half-fare pass, from memory I only used that one half a dozen times in 10 years.

Apparently if you get one but can't use it you are supposed to send it back anyway.

margaretclare don't you have to apply for a replacement ? I have to fill out a form online which I can then print out, take it to the Post Office with a photograph, proof of ID and proof of address then they issue the pass. I thought it was the same all over the UK but obviously not..

chesky369

..............haven't used it on the trains yet though I'll have to investigate that................

Yes, it's great - I use it from Waterloo to Kew which saves me (I think) £3.20p. You can use it to zone 6 but I'm not that sure where zone 6 finishes. Another good thing is that, if you're going to say Brighton by train, you only pay from zone 6, not the whole way.

Unlike the tubes and buses which are now without time restriction, you can only use it on BR trains from 9.30am.

Also I agree I've never had my pass automatically renewed, but perhaps it's different in London. I think they must be stricter here because if people got hold of one illegally, it could save them literally hundreds of pounds.

tanith

chesky when you use it on the trains do you just swipe like you do when on the tube? and if buying a ticket for part of your journey I presume you have to know which is the first station outside zone 6 and purchase a ticket from that station to your destination? Do they ask to see your pass when buying the ticket?