Pensioner's 'perks' under review.

bigadaj

That's it, I'm shorting werthers.

jamesd

So around a fifth of all bus passenger journeys were paid for by the free bus pass scheme. Interesting.

Apparently quite a lot of those were pass holders using them to commute to work. Notably in London where a free bus and tube pass within London is available from age 60 whether working or not with no time of day restriction.

Sapphire

jamesd wrote: »

Apparently quite a lot of those were pass holders using them to commute to work. Notably in London where a free bus and tube pass within London is available from age 60 whether working or not with no time of day restriction.

No, this is not the case. Anyone who has a free travel pass in London can only travel free after 9.30 a.m., that is outside the rush hour. Before that they pay the standard amount for travel, like everyone else.

jamesd

From the page I linked to: "You can travel free at any time using your 60+ London Oyster photocard on: Buses in London showing the red roundel Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and TfL Rail". In addition there is a map with times showing availability at various times for a range of rail services.

From reaching the state pension age for women the Freedom Pass is available instead and "Your Freedom Pass is valid on all Transport for London (TfL) buses (in the Greater London area) at all times" and "The Freedom Pass is accepted all day, every day on the whole of the London Underground (the 'tube'), Overground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) network".

Of course there are plenty of jobs that include working that starts after 9:30AM or on weekends. Even with a 9:30 restriction that would often allow the journey back from work to be free, saving much of the cost.

So we have things like "My 60-plus freedom pass saves me £15,000 to spend on booze and fags. So why do I think it was bonkers to let me have one?" and says it's bonkers because he's using it to commute.

GibbsRule_No3

I have the 60+ card in London, that I paid £20 for but my understanding is that it cannot be used on the Railway until after 9.30 Monday - Friday and all day weekends. Has it changed since I got mine then? Bus and Tube are all day everyday, so where I live if I want to travel into London before 9.30 I'd get the bus to Richmond and use the Tube rather than rail. Re seeing it as a "Perk", I know lots of older people who use it to get out and about, visiting all sorts of things and that the benefit to health and well-being, mental and physical, probably out-way the cost. I have a very sprightly 80+ friend who uses hers all the time and she swears by it, for keeping her mind alert and body active.

roddydogs

xylophone wrote: »

Why did you apply for it?

Why do people have a problem with this? Ive had one for 14 years, and never used it, so why did I apply? on the basis if I do need it, its there, say my car breaks down, or any unforeseen happening. Dont mind, do you?

MABLE

xylophone wrote: »

You are receiving exactly what your contributions entitled you to receive.

And as a matter of interest, if you do not use or require a travel pass, why did you apply for it?

I assume that it's not a case of its arriving automatically as soon as you reach qualifying age?

Because at the time I qualified for the bus pass I thought it might be useful rather than driving into the city. I suppose at the time I was very pleased to think I could travel free. On reflection it did not seem right when I have other modes of transport available. However its very good if I have to show my id.

seven-day-weekend

I use my bus pass a lot although I can, and do, drive. Sometimes it is easier to get the bus than have to bother about parking the car.

However, if it is means-tested, I will just have to buy one I suppose.

I'm a bit concerned about how the means-testing is applied. If it is just for those on PC, they are quite often better off than those who are not, because of the rent and CT being covered.

I don't think that a State Pension that has been paid for by contributions should be means-tested.

p00hsticks

jamesd wrote: »

So around a fifth of all bus passenger journeys were paid for by the free bus pass scheme. Interesting.

Actually I'm not sure it's as simple as that.

I believe the concessionary subsidy funding formula is quite complicated but effectively the bus company only receives any money for journeys that would have been made even if the traveller hadn't had a bus pass.

For many of these journeys therefore, the bus company is effectively letting people travel for free and receiving no funding for doing so.

xylophone

Dont mind, do you?

I don't mind at all!

And you will note that my question was put to the OP who said

I have a bus pass but never use it because as I cycle, walk and drive a car its unfair on the public purse.

Under these circumstances, a question as to why she had applied for one seemed quite logical?

She has answered

Because at the time I qualified for the bus pass I thought it might be useful rather than driving into the city. I suppose at the time I was very pleased to think I could travel free. On reflection it did not seem right when I have other modes of transport available. However its very good if I have to show my id.

It would appear then that "travelling free" or being able to choose to travel free trumps any perceived unfairness on the public purse.....

then there's always the ID aspect ......cheaper than buying a passport?:D

(Icon because "tongue in cheek"....before I am told in no uncertain terms that the OP has a passport together with driving licence, letter from the DWP concerning her benefit and from each of her pension providers concerning her DB pensions......);)