Bus passes again

*Chattie*

margaretclare wrote: »

But you could still get one, if you needed/wanted one, pollypenny!

Before these came in we used to have a half-fare pass costing (from memory) £12 a year. Even that, in 10 years I used it maybe half a dozen times. I've already said, if people want them/can use them then fine. I have no problem with that.

why did you start this thread then

margaretclare

pollypenny wrote: »

Many older people won't have the confidence and help to buy and use a computer. I help two friends who are in their 80s.
The bus pass is essential for many.

Yes, that's what you said.

However, many people DO use computers. DH goes to a local 'silver surfers' club and he helps many people there. One of our friends is in her 90s and she took to computers like a duck to water.

I think the use of computers is a different issue from that of bus passes. The pass is not essential for me and that's why I've sent it back. I thought I had to re-apply and had decided not to, was a bit surprised when it landed through the post with an out-of-date photo on it. Not needing it, I sent it back whence it came.

Where we've been this morning, a local wildlife reserve, it would be impossible to get there by bus.

chesky369

I wouldn't mind paying an annual fee of say £50. However, it's the ease and convenience I love about my freedom pass. The fact that I can nip down my fairly long high road, do my shopping and walk back. I'd have to think twice or even three times before getting on the bus to take me to the shops which would cost me £2. At the moment I do this two or three times a week and shop in my local high street. If I didn't have the pass, I'd go to the out of borough shopping centre by car and my local high street would miss out. I would also miss out on the local shops which I look forward to seeing. I would also miss out on being able to pop to John Lewis in central London which I do about once a month. I do think the fact that it's London makes a huge difference, as bus and tube fares are very expensive, so I just wouldn't make the journey at all.

jojo1964

The scheme costs £1 billion a year, and as a bus driver seeing things firsthand, the rise in use by people who use these has been huge, in particular with people using them to travel one stop, a distance of a few hundred yards, and i feel this will herald eventual restrictions on the use of these passes, also the amount of apparently fit younger people who have these passes seems on the increase, i understand that for many the pass is a lifeline, but feel an annual fee, or a limit on the amount of travel is on the cards.

margaretclare

It must make a huge difference depending on where you live. Chesky has illustrated this very well. If I lived in London I wouldn't have a car at all, I'd use public transport all the time.

I agree with jojo that this scheme costs a huge amount. What I dislike about these little freebies is that someone ultimately has to pay, and as DH and I are still taxpayers, that must include us. So, why is it assumed that we are poor enough to need a free bus, a winter fuel hand-out and a free TV licence, yet are rich enough to pay income tax? It is the stereotyping and the unjustified assumptions about us and our lifestyle that I dislike the most.

The fact that I had that free bus pass for 5 years and in that time used it only once, should explain why I thought this was worth discussing again. The free pass no doubt is a lifeline to some, maybe even a majority. Not to us. I would rather it went to someone who genuinely needs it and can use it, rather than being sent out willy-nilly.

jojo1964

margaretclare wrote: »

It must make a huge difference depending on where you live. Chesky has illustrated this very well. If I lived in London I wouldn't have a car at all, I'd use public transport all the time.

I agree with jojo that this scheme costs a huge amount. What I dislike about these little freebies is that someone ultimately has to pay, and as DH and I are still taxpayers, that must include us. So, why is it assumed that we are poor enough to need a free bus, a winter fuel hand-out and a free TV licence, yet are rich enough to pay income tax? It is the stereotyping and the unjustified assumptions about us and our lifestyle that I dislike the most.

The fact that I had that free bus pass for 5 years and in that time used it only once, should explain why I thought this was worth discussing again. The free pass no doubt is a lifeline to some, maybe even a majority. Not to us. I would rather it went to someone who genuinely needs it and can use it, rather than being sent out willy-nilly.

Thats an attitude not heard very often in this take take take society we live in, an i applaud your sentiment, its just a shame its not echoed elsewhere.

Errata

It's surely cheaper to send it out 'willy nilly' than have an army of bureaucrats means testing an army of pensioners.
The same applies to the WFA and the TV license. These are all concessions which can be withdrawn at any time, not state benefits dependant on income.

tanith

I agree with you margaretclare that there is no good reason to just renew them willy nilly , having to apply for them as we do in London would address the problem of people who genuinely didn't need them..

Errata where does the 'means testing' come into it ?

Errata

tanith wrote: »

I agree with you margaretclare that there is no good reason to just renew them willy nilly , having to apply for them as we do in London would address the problem of people who genuinely didn't need them..

Errata where does the 'means testing' come into it ?

I should have made myself clearer. My point about means testing was in response to MC's point "So, why is it assumed that we are poor enough to need a free bus, a winter fuel hand-out and a free TV licence, "
Hope that clears it up.

seven-day-weekend

I had to apply for my pass, it did not appear automatically. I'm in the West Midlands.

So I suppose it depends where you are in the country.

One think I think SHOULD be stopped is this silly £10 bonus that Pensioners and people on Benefits get at Christmas. That will save a bit, surely, without making anyone poorer?