Concessionary Bus Pass reform

[Mayneway]

RE: Concessionary Bus Pass reform

(30/07/2019 07:48)L401CJF Wrote:  I couldn't agree more. People complain - particularly the elderly - if a bus route is taken off due to lack of use or lack of money being brought in from it. If people want a bus service so badly, they shouldn't have an issue with paying for it if its so important to them. Surely paying a reduced fare isn't much to ask instead of having no bus at all.

Another issue I have is that quite a lot of people catch the bus with disabled passes, many regulars who are working an travel in a company uniform. I'm not saying they don't have a disability, some of them very notably do, but given that they're in employment and earning a wage, why are they still entitled to free travel? The whole system needs shuffling up. It doesn't work, and the concession scheme along with the likes of myticket in Merseyside is killing our bus networks.

Two points in regards to your comments which I agree with. A big issue ive found (as I drive one!) is you get certain services or circulars that predomantly used by OAP’s, nothing wrong with that but I’ve found it puts some regular fare paying punters off using a service because they recognise it as being slow and frustrating with pensioners slowly ambling on and off.

The issue of disabled passes has really shocked me. When the company I work for got ticketer machines it actually comes up and tells the driver what pass they scanned. The amount of people who use disabled passes and work and look completely able bodied is surprising. I was told that anyone can go to their GP, convince the GP they have a problem with drink or drugs, get put on a long waiting list for counciling and immediately be entitled to a bus pass.