Bus passes

Anyone know what it actually costs the National/Loal Government to provide the bus passes? How much of a dent in the overall budget is it? I'm very grateful for mine. We do have a car but use it far less than we would if we needed to pay for bus fares, which must be better for the environment. I also wonder about admin costs for an annual charge and also where the money would actually go. We have a number of elderly neighbours without cars. The bus is their lifeline. None have means tested benefits but all need to be careful in money management and have said they would struggle with bus fares, needing to cut back elsewhere to afford them or more likely spend much more time at home. Social isolation is a major cause of depressive illness, the bus passes are very important for many. I do wonder what is meant by 'well off pensioners' in relation to bus passes and the winter fuel allowance, do they mean those not in receipt of means tested benefit or those paying higher rate tax? I suspect there will be changes in 2020 if not before.

As Neversaydie says, if I didn't have a bus pass I might simply use my car which is not good for any number of reasons. I certainly wouldn't wait half an hour for our unreliable bus if I had to pay for the privilege.

Parking at most hospitals is both difficult and expensive now, and I'm sure that it is better for as many people as possible to use public transport to get there.

Like many others, I would also be happy to pay something for the pass, but I suspect that the administration of such a scheme would make the annual cost much higher than we would imagine or be willing to pay - particularly if it was means tested (the only really fair method).

Not wanting to sound mean but I have worked all my life and always paid my tax and into the system and regard my free bus pass as one of the joys of retirement.
I agree that the NHS and Social Care funding needs boosting but I don't feel it should come from pensioners agreeing to pay a sum of money for their bus passes. If we need more money for these services (and it's blaringly obvious that we do at the moment!) then I think the Govt needs to fund it properly. We are one of the richest countries in the world and have far too many rich people and companies not paying their taxes. Get this money back first and plough it into our health and social care budgets!
I'm fed up with this so called austerity. It's been going on for years now and things don't seem to be improving. So it's not a policy I would support in any way until I see the super rich paying their wack first!!!

I have a bus pass as I live in Wales, will have to wait until I am 66 for my pension. Would not be willing to pay for bus pass, as government have already stolen 6 years of my and others pension.

I would love a bus pass! I'm going to have to wait until finally I get the pension promised to me when I was 60 delayed till I'm 63 and delayed again until I'm 64 and 8 months! This despite 43 years of NI contributions. I think I've given enough back and frankly I think a bus pass is value if it keeps me off the road and let's the workers and busy mums have fewer cars to contend with.

What I find worst about the buses here is during the summer when they're so full of noisy, language school students.

That sounds very sour - the language school students will be full fare-paying passengers, and contributing many millions to the local economy.

Before Bournemouth became a 'Student' town it was a very dreary place!

We use our park and ride with our bus pass and they now charge £1 return to Leicester, our nearest city. Absolute bargain!

And yes, I'd happily pay even £50 a year for one! One return trip costs me £6.

Oh, I'd love a bus pass. DH and I often travel into town on the bus as it's much easier than finding a parking space and he got his at 60, 7 years ago. I've to wait until I'm 66. At the times we travel I'm often the only paying passenger.

I use my bus pass occasionally. I don't think a £20 per year fee would make any difference at all to the NHS nor Social care costs.

I do not qualify for a bus pass as yet, but I would be willing to pay an annual fee like the £20 suggested. I have a car, but I find it easier and cheaper in the long run to use the buses to get into the town centre. Also, I absolutely love travelling on a bus, especially upstairs on a double decker where I can watch the world go by.

From what I can remember, speaking just for pensioners, the English pension is much lower than elsewhere, so freedom passes were introduced (also winter fuel allowance) instead of increasing the actual pension amount.

Have to agree with Greyduster. One huge downside of using the bus is the less than desirable practices of some of our travelling companions. My pet hate is the rowdy, loud and non-stop swearing of many of our young people. I have learned to avoid the after-school/college pick up routes. Yes, and the personal habits of some fellow travellers are disquieting. Once again....swings and roundabouts.......

I pay for my senior railcard, so I wouldn't mind paying a yearly sum for my bus pass. I use the railcard more often than the bus pass, as I still drive. I'm sure most people in receipt of the bus pass wouldn't mind paying £20 - £25 per year.

Before this winter started, we used the bus on a regular basis. We have an exceptionally good service here and also Supertram, so the bus pass saved us money and I felt better because we weren't using the car. Then DH (who was a huge advocate of the bus pass) got fed up with sitting with a bus full of people coughing and sneezing who were simply too stupid or inconsiderate to cover their mouths and noses, so he went back to using the car. He'll probably come round to it again when the weather gets better! Would we pay something towards it? Well, I'd feel more inclined to if I could trust our council not to squander the money they get in Council and other taxes. But I agree that pensioners with low incomes shouldn't have to - it's a lifeline for some.

Mine arrived in the post today.
So, I looked up our bus timetable determined to save a bit of pollution straight away.
I was going into my market town to shop and then get a lift back with my husband (he finishes work at 1p.m., bags too heavy to return by bus)
The buses are at 14 mins past every hour and , as I was working until 11 I was too late to catch the first one, if I'd waited for the next I wouldn't have had time to shop!
So I went in the car. I'll have to start saving the world another day?
I would be perfectly prepared to pay an annual fee for my card, I'm sure it will may? save me a fortune.

Living in a remote low income area of rural Wales, I agree with Badenkate and Skweek1. Our local bus service is infrequent and only operates for 3 days a week anyway, so people on basic pensions are dependent on neighbours' goodwill if they need to go anywhere other than A&E. I don't think it would be fair to charge people on low incomes - most of whom have worked hard all their lives (paid or unpaid) and are using what income they have to support the local economy, whether it's going shopping for food or attending a class/having a coffee with friends.
Also, if they are visiting relatives in England, their passes are not valid - and vice versa - which I think is unfair to everybody.

I believe we are contributing considerably for this facility through our council tax - just received my vastly increased bill yesterday and am still in a darkened room - and through the income tax from those of us who are still 'fortunate' enough to be eligible. No, NOT ONE PENNY. I do a reasonable amount of voluntary work which simply would not happen without my pass. Others claim travel expenses so I guess it's swings and roundabouts. Furthermore anyone who thinks that a fee would be specifically directed to a 'good cause' e.g. social care has the term 'cloud cuckoo land' leaping into my head. It would go into the common purse and misappropriated accordingly. Furthermore I do believe the collection of such fees would be an excuse for an increase in administrators. Mmmmmm......NOT a good idea methinks. Having said all this, I am extremely grateful for this facility and appreciate the freedom it gives me. When I'm in the company of those who express discomfort at having a pass I always remind them that use of it is NOT compulsory. Feel free to pay the economic fare and that way you will be 'helping' the economy indirectly. The response both facial and verbal is VERY interesting.

I would willingly pay a fee bus pass saves us a lot we use it to go to larger towns saves us paying for parking .

We use the bus and tube frequently especially for hospital appointments when taking the car means searching for a parking space and paying for it. Also can use it when we are on holidays on the local buses that saves parking charges also.
I don't see how we pay via council tax Lasydays as my neighbours pay the same amount as us council tax and they are a young couple, so that would mean they are paying for Freedom Passes they aren't entitled to?

In Scotland we have bus passes that can be used for free anywhere in the country. If i don't take the car to visit in Edinburgh, i get free travel from Aberdeen and also free travel when i am there. It's great. I don't take the car into town so i don't have to pay for parking and the bus is free. Great system.

Everyone assumes that at our age we all have a bus pass. Well, no. I used to have one but I sent it back. I don't know when I last got on a bus - it was a long time ago, I know that much. DH still has his but he never uses it. Neither of us can walk as far as the bus stop, so what's the point?

I think the admin. costs would mean that no money was left to go towards social care and the NHS.

I often use my bus pass to save me using my car. The bus is running anyway so using it is better for all of us.

Hello Ajanela and Teddy123. Another Bournemouthite here. Never realised there were so many of us! What I find worst about the buses here is during the summer when they're so full of noisy, language school students. Still very grateful for my free bus pass though.

I've been eligible for a bus pass for three years but haven't claimed it. I prefer the convenience of my car. I wonder if I can claim a discount on my council tax! ?