Bus passes could go.

[Workingman]

Rodo is right, the vast majority of pensioners have paid in for years and years; she is also right that not all pensioners need the free pass. What irks me is that those operating such things always go for the nuclear options to solve problems: do away with rather than modify.

The passes offer concessionary fares, therefore the fares do not have to be free. According to the LGA's own figures, that the grant has been reduced by £261m, the money could be recouped more than double if a charge of 25p was made for each journey. Nobody would have their bank broken for a 50p there-and-back journey and it would still allow the most desperate to get a free pass.

[Rodo]

Such a simple solution WM and yet why is there nobody in the various councils or govt. depts. who have enough brain power to work that out?

[cromwell]

Yes, it's as though any sort of involved thought is beyond them.
Our local council does my head in; I know things are hard for them, but they have a massive vanity project going in the Hepworth Gallery. They are very coy about revealling how much it is costing to run, at the same time as they are proposing to lay 1,400 workers off.
They have recently shut down an anti-obesity programme for children. Excuse me, but why was it ever set up? It doesn't take much to work out why you are overweight, or how you can lose weight, but apparently working this out was too much for the parents of these children and the council had to step in to "give them the help that they need".
The one thing that hasn't reduced, as Vic points out, is the number of councillors or their expenses; nor will it.
I have every sympathy for council workers who are losing their jobs but the fact is that our council is run by idiots - they can't even keep a market going. They moved Wakefield market from where it had been for centuries to allow the building of the Trinity Walk shopping mall. A new market hall was built next to the bus station.
Now, six years after the new market hall was built, the council are going to knock it down and put a cinema there!
Chumps.

[cruiser2]

I use my bus pass regularly. Can only get free travel after 9.30 a.m Monday to Friday. Have been on the first bus when there have been at least twelve standing and the bus has gone past stops as it could not pick up more passengers. We can also travel free on trains to Manchester as well as busues.
I am still paying income tax as my state pension and pension from my former employer is much more than the non taxable allowance. There is also a deduction of over one hundred pounds per week from the Graduated pension payment as I was in a non contribution scheme. Several years ago I asked how this was calculated and did get a reply. Over ten pages of gobble-de dook!!

[Kaz]

Mick pays a fortune in tax and NI, he has worked since 16, never ever claimed the dole, hardly ever been ill, never had an op, so when we finally get ours (if we do) I shan't feel at all guilty about using it!

[Workingman]

Mick pays a fortune in tax and NI, he has worked since 16, never ever claimed the dole, hardly ever been ill, never had an op, so when we finally get ours (if we do) I shan't feel at all guilty about using it!

Nor should you, but given a choice of no pass or paying a nominal charge per journey, which would you go for? I think I would go for a small charge or even an annual payment, say £30, that way those who do not need can opt out, unlike the fuel payment that goes to millionaires and paupers alike. I read that Pete Stringfellow and Paul McCartney had hell on trying to give it back.

[Kaz]

I'd go for the small charge, that would be ok.

[JoM]

Mick pays a fortune in tax and NI, he has worked since 16, never ever claimed the dole, hardly ever been ill, never had an op, so when we finally get ours (if we do) I shan't feel at all guilty about using it!

Nor should you, but given a choice of no pass or paying a nominal charge per journey, which would you go for? I think I would go for a small charge or even an annual payment, say £30, that way those who do not need can opt out, unlike the fuel payment that goes to millionaires and paupers alike. I read that Pete Stringfellow and Paul McCartney had hell on trying to give it back.

My parents use their passes probably 4 or 5 times a week, they're not quite as sprightly as they used to be (although they still do well). Mom's been saying for years that they'd happily pay a nominal charge and I think that at one time they did have to pay 20p per journey. I think though that if they were to lose their passes altogether, paying concessionary fares would mount up over the week - just to go to Tesco which is a 3 minute journey would cost over £4 for a return journey - and that would take quite a chunk out of their pensions.

[miasmum]

I think an annual fee is a brilliant idea. What I would really like to see is some scheme to help people get to and from the hospital or to doctors appointments. Reading Lissie's post has made me think of that

[saundra]

I had a bus pass at one time and used to use it
But now I'm on my own it's a long walk to the bus stop
And buses are few and far between
No buses before 9 and none after 5
No fun living on the coaast without a car im afraid
But at least it's quiet