Bus passes

I agree its unfair but can't explain why.
There are lots of other instances, such as care-home charges etc, we English are paying into the same pot but not getting the same back out of it.

I admit it seems unfair, the eligibility has now increased to 66 in line with the pension age rise. Is there not a local concession you could utilise?

I'm surprised we get prescriptions free from 60, when most of us have to pay NI until we are at least 66.

I didn’t know that had changed. I’ve had a disabled person’s bus pass for years.

Different areas, different rules.

This one works against you but I bet there are some that work for you and are not available in other areas.

I think Liverpool area still get them at 60. I know when I was whinging about having to wait for mine someone said some areas still get it at 60.

Yes, prescriptions and eye tests free at 60, bus passes 66 in England, probably the way they’re funded at a guess.

OK,Mr. Google reveals the following info. Freedom pass rules are the same for London as elsewhere, currently you have to be 66 or over (state pension age for women). However, TFL have a scheme where those 60+ living in a London borough get a free Oystercard valid on TFL journeys. I hope that answers your question granbabies123

It’s a triple whammy, isn’t it? No pension, extra NI contributions and no bus pass or concessionary prices for other things.

I don’t buy the ‘we can’t afford it’ line either. My mother, like many women of her generation, didn’t work or pay NI, yet got her pension and associated concessions at 69. Far more women work and pay NI now, so there should be more money, not less.

I was 64 when I got mine which was my pension age, the only time I’ve used it was in the park and ride when I did Jury Service.
I have to drive 4 miles to get a bus, so in retrospect it wasn’t worth the effort of getting one , but it comes in handy as ID. But if we ever move……..

Oldbat1

I think Liverpool area still get them at 60. I know when I was whinging about having to wait for mine someone said some areas still get it at 60.

Yes, I'm in Merseyside and got mine at 60 (valid on trains, busses and ferries), but only in Merseyside. Still have to pay if I'm outside the area.

I got mine at 60 Liverpool not used it much because I drive but it’s handy for a night out.

GrandmaKT

Oldbat1

I think Liverpool area still get them at 60. I know when I was whinging about having to wait for mine someone said some areas still get it at 60.

Yes, I'm in Merseyside and got mine at 60 (valid on trains, busses and ferries), but only in Merseyside. Still have to pay if I'm outside the area.

I don't think you have to pay for local journeys. I live in Merseyside and have used my pass on a local journey in Brighton.

I’ve never learnt to drive partly because I have Ménière’s disease ( problem with vertigo). I applied for a bus pass a year before I was due my pension on those grounds and got one. Wish I’d applied a long time ago! Course I wasn’t able to use the pass very much because of lockdowns here in Kent but hey ho!

State pension age here where I live, so that’s 66 for me. I had “ oap” rate on the ferry from 60-62 then they changed it to state pension age!

it's part of what londoners pay for in their council tax.
the age 60-66 oystercard is limited to transport for london services.

it costs £20 to apply, and for those issued after aug 2019, have to be validated each year, paying £10 to confirm address.

The reason Scotland, Wales and NI have different rules to England is because of devolution. They chose to prioritise other things. If you aren't happy you need to campaign for that to change.

I wish we had zero university fees like Scotland also

I had a bus pass at 60 in Wales then moved to Surrey at just 63 and had to wait until I was 64 to get one in England . I didn’t realise it had gone up again. Mine is valid until 2023 then it has to be renewed again. Very easy to do the local library does it.

I can also get a reduced “senior “ ticket on the trains

Doodledog

It’s a triple whammy, isn’t it? No pension, extra NI contributions and no bus pass or concessionary prices for other things.

I don’t buy the ‘we can’t afford it’ line either. My mother, like many women of her generation, didn’t work or pay NI, yet got her pension and associated concessions at 69. Far more women work and pay NI now, so there should be more money, not less.

Probably because we are all living a lot longer.

Different local authorities, different rules. Not much you can do about it. Ask yourself if you really “need” this or just feel an entitlement to it? Many people get a bus pass but don’t actually need it.

As someone said, in Merseyside, you will get a local bus pass at 60 until you reach state pension age! Then you get a national one. To me it is a perk and not an entitlement.

How do you define ‘need’, ValerieF?

Calendargirl, I understand that life expectancy has fallen under the Tories, and is now lower than for my mother’s generation.

Yes I got mine in Jan when I was 66 this year. I thought I would get it at 60 but My local council said only when im pension age because I dont live in London. My sister who does live in London and is 3 years younger than me got hers at 60. I have always thought it was unfair (not my sister getting it) and because I worked in London (travelled in) it would have saved me quite a bit in fares. Got mine now but I do not really use it much because I can walk into town. London seems to get everything! Oh and I was born in london and lived there till I was in my 50s. Would never go back!