Have free bus pass, want to travel.

kelda_shelton

Hi guys:

You seem to be experts so I'm asking a question here.. my google search hasn't come up well!

I was speaking to my Mum about the bus pass and I mentioned going down from where she lives in Scotland to visit my aunty in Gloucester with it. She said, "oh no its only for Scotland. It would be great if it was though.. I quite enjoy going on the local buses"

I had remembered seeing an article some time ago about a guy going from John O Groats to Lands End using his free bus pass and sure enough I found it - from 2008.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-558608/A-trip-Britain-paying-penny-record-breaking-OAP-free-bus-pass.html


http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/latestnews/Next-stop---free.3345568.jp

Can someone explain whether this still applies.. can she use her entitlement across the UK - and if so does she need to apply for any additional bus passes? Or can she wave her Scotland one at English & Welsh bus drivers?

Is there a website that provides accurate info on this..? Eg the direct.gov website only seemed to include england and didn't give details on use outside england.

Many thanks
Kelda

dzug1

No - the Scottish pass is only valid in Scotland - and maybe the first town across the border.

The guy who did Lands End/JOG didn't use his bus pass for the whole trip - I believe he got offered a concession for the publicity value in whatever country his pass wasn't valid in.

She can't apply for an English pass unless she can prove residency in England.

kelda_shelton

So the bill - noted in the second article - to recognise each others free bus pass schemes didn't happen? They both mention the same date of 1 April 2008... but I guess thats the start of the English scheme?

dzug1

That will be the date the English scheme (in its present form - previously it was confined to your LA area in most cases) started.

Whether there's still a committment to make it UK wide or not I don't know - if there is it's no doubt on hold

Sweey_as_a_nut

Out cycling on the cycle track today and stopped to chat, and was told that they intend to restrict travel now to your local area. I have bought a Brompton folding cycle had it in time for when the rain kicked in last November, so all I have done with it so far is fold it. And now to hear this it don't sound good. I live in Wales and can now at the moment travel all over.

Someone please put me out of my apprehension, and say it's not true.

dzug1

Sweey_as_a_nut wrote: »

Out cycling on the cycle track today and stopped to chat, and was told that they intend to restrict travel now to your local area. I have bought a Brompton folding cycle had it in time for when the rain kicked in last November, so all I have done with it so far is fold it. And now to hear this it don't sound good. I live in Wales and can now at the moment travel all over.

Someone please put me out of my apprehension, and say it's not true.

I think someone is speculating wildly about what 'they' (and bear in mind it might be a different 'they' when decisions are made) might decide to do.

At the moment that type of statement is not capable of being either true or untrue - it's worrying aloud.

Sweey_as_a_nut

Thanks dzug1
you have tried to reassure me. Thing is one of the people talking is into politics, and attends as many meetings as he can and he says they are considering it.
As for a different they, then I feel bus passes would be on a big slide. The reason I say this is because it is something, that not in their wildest dreams would they have sanctioned, not if they were in 300 years. And in case we forget they put VAT on power up 17.5%.

Farway

Sweey as a nut, the "they" in your case could be the Welsh Assembly, England has it's own scheme, as does Scotland

I think dzug1 has it right, and I suspect bus passes will either be first for any chops, have to get it in quick, or it will be too late and will always be brought up at the following election

sloan

How exciting .... bus pass arrived this morning! Can't wait to use it! Hope the weather bucks up soon!

zygurat789

Farway wrote: »

Sweey as a nut, the "they" in your case could be the Welsh Assembly, England has it's own scheme, as does Scotland

I think dzug1 has it right, and I suspect bus passes will either be first for any chops, have to get it in quick, or it will be too late and will always be brought up at the following election

I have a pass which I try to use as often asI can. If it is in any way rescinded "they" won't save a penny, I will just go back to using the car, and get there sooner.