Do not means test, bus passes petition

sanfly

As there seems to be a passing interest in bus passes in this forum, thought i'd post this, in case anybody wants to sign it


http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/28908

innovate

I hereby petition the Government to keep the free bus pass for pensioners non means tested, and exempt from national and local government cuts. The free bus pass enables pensioners and disabled people to play a full part in their community, getting out of the house, shopping, seeing families, getting to their voluntary activities in the 'Big Society". Isolation means depression and more use of the NHS.Means testing may mean trouble for couples, people with occupational pensions and savings, non car owners, car owners who can't afford to drive,rural dwellers. Pensioners are voters too! Keep the free bus pass non means tested!

The only time I would support any petition like this it if there is sufficient proof that the actual means-testing would cost more than the savings made from not throwing money at people who don't really need it.

SailorSam

I'm not old enough yet to get one but i think Merseytravel give out passes to everyone when they hit 60, and that;s for trains as well as buses.

themull1

Rather than all the pensioners getting free bus travel, why can't the school kids get it free instead, and the pensioners pay 50p a trip? i think that pensioners should pay for their bus travel same as everyone else. It would stop them hogging all the bus seats just after 9am every morning.

Errata

As free bus travel for those over state retirement age has been around for almost 70 years it would be a pity if it stopped. However, I really don't want to add my name to such a badly worded petition.

teajug

themull1 wrote: »

Rather than all the pensioners getting free bus travel, why can't the school kids get it free instead, and the pensioners pay 50p a trip? i think that pensioners should pay for their bus travel same as everyone else. It would stop them hogging all the bus seats just after 9am every morning.

School children do get free bus travel in London and have done for years thanks to Ken Livingston.

A lot of pensioners can not even used their bus passes as there is no public transport where they live and also a most pensioners are too ill or frail to travel on public transport and cannot use their bus passes. Dose that may you any happier.

Would you rather pensioners just stayed in all day long an have not be able to get out at all therefore not hogging up your bus seats.

In some civilized EU countries pensioners get free public transport on trains buss and coaches.

Liverpool and Wales and I am sure about Scotland pensioners are allowed to travel on trains as well as buses, it seems England is the only place where that is not allowed.

roy62

Should be restricted to the area you live in.

pollypenny

Bus passes cannot be used on National Express, so unless you can travel the length of the country by local buses with umpteen changes, it is confined to local area.

BTW; in Flintshire we have the choice of a free bus pass or a reduced price rail card.

dzug1

pollypenny wrote: »

Bus passes cannot be used on National Express, so unless you can travel the length of the country by local buses with umpteen changes, it is confined to local area.
.

Um yes - but if you live in Brum you can get free travel while on holiday in Cornwall, for example, even if you have to pay to get there. Some object to that.

giraffe69

most pensioners are too ill or frail to travel on public transport

I expect you can substantiate this!

meercatsunited

to THEMULL1

Pensioners are not allowed to travel before 9am because thats when people who work travel and the majority of us have worked hard for a living and deserve that consideration when we have small pensions to live on

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come to think of what are you doing on the bus after 9am, not working then?