Bus pass time!

Well I'm not paying extra, because I never use the railway......why would I use a last-century transport system?

Here in Wales its still 60..but you can bet your bottom dollar that come next year as i approach that age it'll change....I just know it

Have just bought a senior railpass 

Cost £70 for three years 

Have had bus pass for 14yrs and life time free pensioner rail pass,including international travel since 1994 

They are only free for you and your colleagues. Everyone else is paying higher fares to cover the cost. 

Subject to confirmation I imagine the poster might have been a rail employee so the fact that he enjoys free rail travel was in part in lieu of his wages whilst at work which continues into retirement. 

David

I realised that at the time of posting but thanks anyway.

The bus pass is a wonderful invention. I have had mine since I was 60. ( men only got it at 60 because of a European Court ruling that said it was discrimatory to allow women to get it at 60 whilst men had to wait until 65) Obviously since then as retirement ages have merged that is no longer a problem. We use ours a lot both here in MK and around the country. Had some very interesting conversations on buses!!!

David

The problem is the age at which one can apply for a bus pass is now linked to state retirement age.

Many young'uns will probably never see one.

(I don't think the life expectancy projections will prove to be accurate at all especially for the regions outside the prosperous south)

Yes, bus pass age is linked to state pension age, so there might just be a few left who are going to get a pass earlier than 65, as that increases for women towards 65.

The wording is (I always like this) "When a man reaches the state pension age of a woman the same age as him"

It always sounds nonsense at first, but it does make sense. 

Although a recipient of a pass, I feel that an annual fee of, say £25, would not be unreasonable.

Although a recipient of a pass, I feel that an annual fee of, say £25, would not be unreasonable.

I have often thought the same. They are valid for five years and the administrative burden falls on the local council which I doubt gets an recompense from the Government. If that did happen what I would want to see is that people on low income did not pay and as a quid pro que it should be able to be used all across the UK.

David

Although a recipient of a pass, I feel that an annual fee of, say £25, would not be unreasonable.

I have often thought the same. They are valid for five years and the administrative burden falls on the local council which I doubt gets an recompense from the Government. If that did happen what I would want to see is that people on low income did not pay and as a quid pro que it should be able to be used all across the UK.

David

Agree with you both, however, what do you call a low income David? If it developes into a means test, then surely costs would have to go up to cover the admin work involved, thereby negating any small profit to the local authority...