Bus passes

[davemac]

It's one of those words that we say without realising the correct term
Free bus pass,
Fresh air,
Hoover,
That dress is perfect,
No it doesn't look big,


I'm typing this quietly so I don't get sent to my room.

[Margaret Pilkington]

You would be perfect in the diplomatic service.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Well, when I worked in the NHS, we questioned our admissions on the length of time they had lived in the UK, if it was less than 12 months we contacted a clerical officer to come and assess their eligibility for treatment on the NHS.
The sad fact was, that those who were not eligible to treatment on the NHS would leave the country before any money could be obtained for their treatment.

[davemac]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Well, when I worked in the NHS, we questioned our admissions on the length of time they had lived in the UK, if it was less than 12 months we contacted a clerical officer to come and assess their eligibility for treatment on the NHS.
The sad fact was, that those who were not eligible to treatment on the NHS would leave the country before any money could be obtained for their treatment.

It would be easy to bring in a system that ensured health tourists paid for treatment. The problem is that there would have to be the will to carry it out. If you were in America you would have to establish payment details in the treatment room. Here, talking about payment is not british.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

....
Yes, that the bus pass is free, is a huge misconception.

Anyone who pays council tax, or pays income tax, or any other kind of levy to the government, is actually paying for the privilege of using their bus pass.....

I think your logic is flawed, I pay all those things but I don't get free travel on buses.

I think if someone took it to court they would have a good case for age discrimination.

I dont disagree with free bus passes for old folk but that is what you get, free travel on buses.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Neil, I have to disagree with you.
How long have you paid those taxes?
Do you earn a living wage?

I have paid into the system all of my life. Drawn nothing much in the way of benefits(a bit of dole during the three day week......sickness benefit after a major op) other than that nothing.
And the bus pass allows us to travel on the bus without paying a fare at the time of travel, but I assure you I have paid(and am still paying- I am taxed on my pension, and on my small amount of savings) for this travel.

Hopefully Neil, if you live long enough, you will be allowed to reap the benefits of old age. They aren't many and some of them are a bit bitter.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Neil

I think your logic is flawed, I pay all those things but I don't get free travel on buses.

I think if someone took it to court they would have a good case for age discrimination.

I dont disagree with free bus passes for old folk but that is what you get, free travel on buses.

You might as well say you could make a case for age discrimination, because you can't draw child benefit for your forty six year old child.



Everyone is entitled to a bus pass, if you're lucky enough to reach pensionable age, after paying tax all your life into the pot that funds it.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Well, when I worked in the NHS, we questioned our admissions on the length of time they had lived in the UK, if it was less than 12 months we contacted a clerical officer to come and assess their eligibility for treatment on the NHS.
The sad fact was, that those who were not eligible to treatment on the NHS would leave the country before any money could be obtained for their treatment.

Margaret, I was once in Q P hospital and an elderly Asian gentleman came in the next bed, he couldn't speak a word of English, when it was doctors rounds his son-in-law came in to interpret, as usual the curtains were drawn round the bed, but you could here every word. The Son-in law said to the doctor, that his father-in-law never really wanted to come to this country until he started being illI couldn't believe my ears

[Bee]

Originally Posted by groove

Groove thinks its wrong that OAP's get free bus passes whilst the rest of society have to pay...also Groove thinks OAP's should remember that millions are on benefits( many through no fault of their own) yet dont complain about heating bills every winter...What makes them special to everyone else on low income?

Groove get a life

[shillelagh]

so what about disabled bus passes .. should they be got rid of as well ....

[garinda]

Originally Posted by shillelagh

so what about disabled bus passes .. should they be got rid of as well ....

Yes.

There's no such thing as disability.

It's just laziness, or the fact they don't try very hard to do things.

Make them walk.

[shillelagh]

really? if only you could see me now rindy ..

[garinda]

Originally Posted by shillelagh

really? if only you could see me now rindy ..

Stab at humour?

Sarcasm, seeing I'm supposedly disabled too?

You saying that, makes me think you're hurt again?

Really hope not. x

[Neil]

Originally Posted by shillelagh

so what about disabled bus passes .. should they be got rid of as well ....

I think it depends on why they are issued.

I know a bloke whose girlfriend got a nice new car on disability a few years ago because her doctor said she could only walk short distances, funny how she was doing her pub training so they could run their own pub together. Not much walking involved in running a bar is there

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Neil

I think it depends on why they are issued.

I know a bloke whose girlfriend got a nice new car on disability a few years ago because her doctor said she could only walk short distances, funny how she was doing her pub training so they could run their own pub together. Not much walking involved in running a bar is there

That's nothing to do with disability benefits.

That's fraud.

No different from defrauding the Inland Revenue, or one of the many other ways people try to cheat the system.