Have free bus pass, want to travel.

Ice_2

it's wonderful to hear you all going on about your free days out...I can't wait...I haven't actually got me pass yet but it should be coming soon...enjoy yourselves thats what life is all about ....hope you all have great fun and hope the weather stays clear for you all...:j:j

chesky369

"I know we can get to Hastings, Eastbourne, Brighton and so from here."

Can you post the bus numbers and approximate times - I want to go to Eastbourne, so I'd quite like to have this information.

donnajunkie

islandman wrote: »

That is interesting, a 9am start. Maybe you would clarify?. Did you have a 9.30am start prior to the introduction of 9.am?.

As you are a new user of this pass, let me explain.

Some towns have decided there will be no restrictions and you can use your pass as early in the day as you like.

Some towns will only allow this on Saturdays, and hold 9.30am as the start time.

These two systems as simple as they are, are causing some users confusion.

There are further exceptions all over the country.

In some towns where there is a 9.30am start, if you have a hospital appointment earlier, and you show this to the driver, he should allow you to travel free.

your informations isnt accurate. the standard rule throughout england is free travel after 9.30am monday to friday and all day(including before 9.30am) free travel on weekends.
some local authorities do a deal with the local companies to offer extras outside of these rules which in most cases is free travel before 9.30am on weekdays too. this is usually for residents in that area and only if the journey starts in that area. the journey can cross a boundary into an area that does not offer free travel before 9.30am on weekdays.

Edinburghlass_2

Regarding Scottish card holders...

Card holders will be able to travel free on local bus and scheduled long distance coach services anywhere in Scotland including during the morning rush hour.

System

your informations isnt accurate. the standard rule throughout england is free travel after 9.30am monday to friday and all day(including before 9.30am) free travel on weekends.
some local authorities do a deal with the local companies to offer extras outside of these rules which in most cases is free travel before 9.30am on weekdays too. this is usually for residents in that area and only if the journey starts in that area. the journey can cross a boundary into an area that does not offer free travel before 9.30am on weekdays

So really the first part is correct in as much as some start at 9.30 whilst others are before 9.30. Most users I suspect don't care about the reasoning behind it, but clearly it is a valid point.

As for using your card on someone else's territory, then again, "when in Rome", I think it is widely understood you have to abide by their rules.

Hey, I'm sure we agree on one thing. When the announcement was made in the budget all those years ago that we would have free travel some years later, that was so they would have time to dream up complications.

chesky369

Londoners are pretty fortunate in that, not only are their freedom passes used on buses and the tube and train services around London, but on buses and tubes, travel is from 9am.

lilac_lady

The free bus pass is a good thing. I use mine but try to avoid the rush hours.

Merrywidow

Islandman.....It all sounds very confusing..my local paper on Friday had an article (Kent and Sussex Courier) quote " Bus passengers in Tunbridge Wells have been boosted by Kent County Council's decision to make the free pass usable half an hour earlier. Its cabinet revealed this week that from June 30th onwards the over-60's and people with disabilities will get free bus travel from 9am instead of 9.30am." It goes on to explain that the main reason being that more people could attend doctor and hospital appointments.

As to routes around England - the Daily Express printed a two page article on Friday April 4th "Busman's (and womans) holiday" which effectively took you round the country by bus. Great article with invaluable tips and importantly, the bus numbers. If its not on their site they would send you a copy.
Merrywidow

Merrywidow

Islandman - Forgot the most important point to mention. My town is in the London commuter belt and we already have a restriction on train travel cards till after 10am (unless you are rich) - you have never seen rush hours like a London one.

chesky369

"......you have never seen rush hours like a London one......"

well, we seem to manage OK within London from 9am anyway (see my previous post)