(07 Jan 2015, 9:54 pm)gneasy91 wrote Old people moan about buses being late its them that hold buses up they should start paying to get on buses when they put there passes on that scanner thats holds up the buses 2

(07 Jan 2015, 10:33 pm)gneasy91 wrote True but still think old people shud pay

(07 Jan 2015, 10:42 pm)Robert wrote I am all for concessionary passes for old people. Most can't drive and depend on the bus to get them out and about to the shops and they will be retired and living off a pension. However, disabled passes are where the line is drawn with me. If you are disabled or have an illness which is so bad that you are unable to work then yes, i completely agree. However, if the person has a minor disability but they can still work and pay taxes etc why should get the benefit of free travel?

(07 Jan 2015, 11:30 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I must be honest, I'm dreading the costs of University.

I do think the passes should be;

• Over 60
• Under 22 (typical years of the average student)
• Physically Disabled (requires a wheelchair, etc)

(07 Jan 2015, 11:30 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I must be honest, I'm dreading the costs of University.

I do think the passes should be;

• Over 60
• Under 22 (typical years of the average student)
• Physically Disabled (requires a wheelchair, etc)

(08 Jan 2015, 9:18 am)cbma06 wrote Does anybody on here watch the "Budget" each year that's on the TV?. you might find the answer to the question why the OAP's have the free travel on the buses. Also the under 18's do get good discounts from bus companies when their use their buses,

(07 Jan 2015, 11:16 pm)aureolin wrote Should it be extended to under 18s then, to cover the rising cost of Education? Some get it, but a lot don't. I'd be fully for that, but until it happens, I can't support ENCTS, at least in its current form.

(08 Jan 2015, 8:51 am)Greg in Weardale wrote Age for OAP concession passes is gradually rising to 66 as the womens' pension age rises from 60 to 66 in about 2016, when new style pensions start. At the moment men and women are eligible for a pass at about age 63, the age of eligibility going up every six months or so. I think people with concession passes should pay 50p per journey all day or a £2 all day ticket. That would not be too unreasonable and would ease the cost to councils, but it is unfair that the government doesn't fully reimburse councils for what they pay bus companies for passes. This means that the councils are cutting what they pay companies for accepting them and also that, in addition to the vast cuts to government funding for local authorities, the councils have even less money to subsidise essential bus services. Hence the cuts which, especially in rural areas, are causing unacceptable deprivation and drastically affecting peoples' lives. Many places in Cumbria now have no public transport and more unreasonable cuts in government funding to local authority grants are on the way so more subsidised services in the North East will undoubtedly be under threat. The level of government cuts to our councils is grossly unfair when some councils in the southern Tory heartlands have actually had their funding increased. This government must go, but I don't know that Labour proposals will make thiings better in the short term.

(08 Jan 2015, 8:51 am)Greg in Weardale wrote Age for OAP concession passes is gradually rising to 66 as the womens' pension age rises from 60 to 66 in about 2016, when new style pensions start. At the moment men and women are eligible for a pass at about age 63, the age of eligibility going up every six months or so. I think people with concession passes should pay 50p per journey all day or a £2 all day ticket. That would not be too unreasonable and would ease the cost to councils, but it is unfair that the government doesn't fully reimburse councils for what they pay bus companies for passes. This means that the councils are cutting what they pay companies for accepting them and also that, in addition to the vast cuts to government funding for local authorities, the councils have even less money to subsidise essential bus services. Hence the cuts which, especially in rural areas, are causing unacceptable deprivation and drastically affecting peoples' lives. Many places in Cumbria now have no public transport and more unreasonable cuts in government funding to local authority grants are on the way so more subsidised services in the North East will undoubtedly be under threat. The level of government cuts to our councils is grossly unfair when some councils in the southern Tory heartlands have actually had their funding increased. This government must go, but I don't know that Labour proposals will make thiings better in the short term.

(08 Jan 2015, 1:22 pm)MurdnunoC wrote In that case, should it be extended to the unemployed and those on low income? Someone else mentioned it should be extended to those in higher education up to to the age of 22, but why should mature students be exempt? It will never be perfect as there's always someone who's going to be disadvantaged in some way. As I said, I'd like to see some sort of progressive means-testing applied. But for me, I'd rather have it as it is than have no provision at all. At least, that way, improvements and revisions to the scheme can be made. 

(07 Jan 2015, 11:28 pm)Jimmi wrote My announce with OAP concession passes is how they turn age 60 (is it still 60) and just get a pass no questions asked. At that age they could have nothing wrong with them and many people still work when there in their 60s and some are still physically fit so I just think this is all wrong.

I am in favor for concession passes for the disabled.

I would like to see something be done for under 18s too though as it can be expensive going to college and since EMA was scrapped a few years back some college students get no money from their chosen college and have to pay to get to school / college.