Bus Passes......
 

There has been a report in one of the papers that it is possible that the free bus passes are to be 'means tested'.

I have a bus pass and use it from time to time...mainly at weekends and Bank Holidays.
I think that many pensioners in this country get a raw deal.
The Uk pension is one of the lowest in Europe.
Other than my bus pass, the only things that I get free are eye tests and prescriptions(and the free prescriptions does not benefit me as i take no prescribed medications on a regular basis).

I have worked hard for all of my life, I have paid taxes and I still do pay tax.
I do not want people to think I am a sponger when I use my bus pass...because I am not...my taxes pay for this so called 'perk'.

Personally, I would prefer to have a better pension and pay up front for my travel like everyone else does.

OK, Rant over.

Re: Bus Passes......
 

and I completely agree with you Marg... i reckon by the time I reach pension age (I'm 38 now) there won't be a state pension anymore and it makes the fact I pay so much tax all the harder to swallow :(

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I would be quite happy for my bus pass to allow me to travel at any time, on any form of transport for Half fare.
I like to pay my way...but when the government say they are going to give you something, something that is to encourage folk out of their own cars...then they talk about taking it back...it is just a bit rich...especially in the light of the current scandal over their expenses.

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use mine occasionally very handy, doubt very much if this will come to pass, be even less people VOTE if it did. they had enough negative vibes to last my life out.:rolleyes:

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I read the article too cashy and the spokesman for the Local Government Ass. said he couldn't see it happening anytime soon, neither can I, it would be political suicide

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The Local Government Association brought in the consultants Oxera to determine where cuts could be made.
Their judgement was that the allocation of bus passes was too wide and it did not take into consideration whether the pensioner had access to a car.

I thought that the government wanted us to use cars less, and to reduce our carbon footprint by using public transport.
I think they( the government ) have underestimated what the cost of giving free bus travel to the disabled and pensioners would be.
I do think it will be political suicide to withdraw them now.....but come an election......well, it is yet to be seen as to what will happen then.

Re: Bus Passes......
 

Another unfair proposal that will be like a punishment for many pensioners and disabled people. Before her accident Mum used hers often and even now weather permitting she still likes to get out and about without relying on other people who have cars. I don't think she would be able to afford to get out as much if she had to pay bus fares. By the way when she was able she hated getting help and even refused to get free school meals for us when she was entitled to them. So she definetly isn't a scrounger just a poor pensioner without a car.

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are you sure your mum is getting everything she is entitled to Bernie, like pension credit?

Re: Bus Passes......
 

Yes she is I just think these little perks make life that bit easier. Quite often now she is not able to get about by bus but if and when she can she enjoys to get out under her own steam. She really hates being dependent on anybody else:)

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You are entitled to a free bus pass Margaret, you've worked for it. Mind you I should probably declare an interest I've just got mine.

Re: Bus Passes......
 

Yes Bernard, I am entitled to it, but I am saying that there are other ways around the thorny problem of the cost of concessionary fares on public transport.
I know that the fares still have to be paid for by someone......but I really do believe that a lifetime in full employment and the fact that I still pay tax on my pension should entitle me to something......but when you pull out your bus pass and get on the bus for free, the younger passengers look at you like you are stealing something from them.

It would also be helpful if the passes related to other forms of transport like trams and trains.....and again I would be willing to pay half fare

Re: Bus Passes......
 

I take your point, but you're paying for it twice, not only comes out of general taxation, but also local authority funding, Council Tax.

I agree with you on the trams and trains. I'm sure that a lot of people would be willing to pay half price particular to travel on the train.

I haven't used my bus pass yet, only got it two weeks ago. So the younger passengers looking at you, I've that to come yet.

Re: Bus Passes......
 

Bernard, the bus pass is a very important concession for some older people, it makes sure that they get out and about, it encourages physical activity.....and it encourages them to socialise more.....as you get older you become a little bit insular, you don't go out as much, and you don't make friends as easily.

I know that the LGA say that they aren't going to means test the bus pass scheme, but that they got consultants in and even thought about it is a bad move.

It would lead to the removal of a means of transport to those people who have contributed to the fabric of society, and these people may look rich on paper, but in actual fact they may be asset rich but cash poor.....having had their pension schemes raided by the chancellor of the exchequer....having seen the value of their savings plummet.
These are the people who were prudent and thrifty for all their working lives....they thought they had made adequate provision for their autumn years.

As for the youngsters giving me black looks......well, I know I have earned the right to use my pass.

Re: Bus Passes......
 

I was at the LGA conference a few weeks ago when it was discussed, and there was no support for the bus pass being means tested.

As for the youngsters and black looks.I would think there is a lot more chance that we've been subsidising some of them over the years, rather then the other way around.

Re: Bus Passes......
 

thats a knocking bet.:)

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I knew they'd finish cause hubby and I just turned 60 and have got the forms to send for pass

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Bernard....when you enter the phase of senility as I have been accused of many times on this forum, you realise that the ones younger than you have been brought up to accept hand outs as a way of life.
I qualify for a bus pass but as of now I have not claimed it and I would think that many pensioners with cars dont claim the right to a bus pass.
If you can get about under your own steam and are fit enough to do so, why subject yourself to a means test.
Too many governing busybodies paid a lot of money for coming up with hairbrained ideas for persons they think are too old to realise that they are being hoodwinked..........did not come from my school. :rolleyes:

Re: Bus Passes......
 

Fill them in and send them off....get what you can while you can.
You have paid for it over the years.

Re: Bus Passes......
 

Royboy, in many ways you are right....the young have been brought up to accept that they have the right to certain hand outs......whereas, we the older section of the community, were taught to stand on our own feet and not ask for anything.

Although we have a car, we do use our bus passes.......mainly because it costs money to go places, and then money to park...so using the bus now and then allows us to travel to places that my hubby would not drive to.
Whatever we would have paid in the cost of travel is spent on lunch, so we are improving the economy of the places we visit by patronising the pub or restaurant....and I thought the government wanted more of us to leave our cars at home.....if that is the case they had better make the transport system much more economic and user friendly.
It now costs nearly £2 to get from Clayton le moors to Accrington...one way.
If that is not highway robbery I don't know what is.

Re: Bus Passes......
 

I've never applied for my bus pass because I drive everywhere and find walking a bit difficult. I rarely go into town, since I retired, and most of the places I want to go to are outside the town centre anyway. I will get round to it before too long, they won't stop the concessions just yet.

Re: Bus Passes......
 

I didnt know you lived in lancashire royboy ...


You are eligible for a Concessionary Travel NoWcard if you live in Lancashire (including Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen) and

• You are aged 60+or
• You are:
  • Blind or partially sighted;
  • Profoundly or severely deaf;
  • Without speech;
  • Long term disability or injury which seriously impairs the ability to walk;
  • Without the long-term use of both arms;
  • Significant degree of learning disability;
  • Would, if applied for a driving licence, be refused on physical fitness grounds.

taken from lancashire county council website
Concessionary travel

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i get strange looks when i get on the bus using my pass .. especially when i sit at the front of the bus ... but usually i get them off pensioners!!!!:rolleyes::D:D

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theres no means test at all roy, ya just fill a very small form in along wi a photo n its sent away few weeks later yer pass lands, we use ours occasionally like margaret says, costs a bomb to park, n we have lunch or a snack etc wi that money. the elderly get little enough IMHO, n most have worked all there lives, so what little they can have, i think its daft not to.:)

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[quote=shillelagh;734401]I didnt know you lived in lancashire royboy ...
Cheap shot Jen
I can, and probably will move back back to Lancashire when the mood takes me.
I dont claim many thing which I am entitled to, like pensions credits, Council Tax Rebates or rent rebates.
I dont live in England but if i I did, it would cost you as taxpayer a hell of a lot more to subsidise me and my family to live in the UK

Re: Bus Passes......
 

I think a lot of people don't claim the bus pass,because as you say they probably think they are not really entitled to it. Even though no doubt they have worked all their working life, and are perfectly entitled to a bus pass.

I suppose we are part of a generation where the thinking was that anything you wanted, you had to work for it. And the concept of someone giving you a free bus pass, is just alien to a lot of that generation.

Re: Bus Passes......
 

[quote=Royboy39;734418]But until you move back to Lancashire you dont qualify for a buspass ... so dont say you qualify for one when you dont ... :rolleyes:

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I wouldn't stare at you Jen,,,I think you have got guts to even go on a bus....you sit where you feel most safe..YOU DONT HAVE TO BE OLD TO BE NEADING A PASS..

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Gettin stared at is fun esp when using it in my work gear. It makes my day. :D