Not sure if this is allowed? Anyone with a bus pass will know that they can only be used in the Country of issue. So an English bus pass can't be used in Scotland and vice versa. There is currently a petition asking for a "reciprocal agreements with the devolved administrations of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland" For those that tour UK wide this would be a great advantage. If anyone is minded you can sign the petition Herehttps://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/652985
David
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We can use the Scottish pass all over Scotland, as far as the nearest English town (Carlisle from this site near Dumfries, for example).
But FIL said he could only use his pass in his English county (Yorkshire)? I didn’t realise he could have gone to Cornwall with it.
Sadly, as Transport is a “devolved matter” (I’m pretty sure), I’m not optimistic, but it’s worth a try!
You can use them all over your home country, but the last time we used a bus together was 2014 when OH got a ticket to the World Championship snooker semi final in Sheffield. We were staying at a site west of the city with a bus stop nearby.
We use ours when we are away in the van and at home.,our local bus service is pretty good.
Shame we can't use them in Wales as we are next to it!
Some Park and Rides let you use them some not. Shrewsbury doesn't but York and Whitby did half price.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
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We use the park and ride at avonmouth free parking free bus into Bristol
I have used the bus pass all over England
When we got the local Gloucester pass it was you use it where the bus started from and you could go to Newport south Wales
I admire the spirit behind this but I doubt this will ever happen for the very reason pointed out by Gari. If a 60 year old from Scotland with a Scottish bus pass is allowed to travel for free on English busses there will be an outcry and probably all sorts of legal action from 60 year olds in England who have to wait years before they can travel for free in their own country. Before a reciprocal agreement could be brought in, all 4 countries of the UK would have to give bus passes at the same age.
Free travel in N. Ireland is for over 60, but for someone from N. Ireland free travel for the whole island of Ireland is when you're over 65, so the concept of different age limits for different areas already exists. How they deal with it is simple - there's 60+ pass for NI and a 65+ pass for the whole island.
Anyhow, in the 5 years before I turn 60 I firmly expect free bus passes to be consigned to history.
Adds a degree of confusion I grant you, but nothing stopping passes being made acceptable from the usual age for each country. A bit of a handicap for those that would normally travel free from 60 in their home nation not being able to do so in 65 plus nations, but not a bad compromise and better than no transferability at all! It's a method that does not disadvantage those in 65 plus nations, nor gives rise to arguments of discrimination in those nations.
Never quite managed to use my over 65s Freedom pass outside London yet, the timings of the two buses a day (one out, one back!) that have been the option where I could have used it were not terribly useful! .... and the vagaries (drivers discretion?) of whether dogs could travel or not made it even less appealing! - what are you supposed to do if the outgoing driver accepts dogs, but the return driver (of the ONLY bus!) refuses!!!!!
It's a shame they couldn't join all the dots and make these things universal, but then that's the downside of devolved powers, everyone doing their own thing and no consistency!
As to whether these passes will continue in future years, the warning signs are already there! Back in the day, as a Londoner I had the option of a 60 plus pass for a one off fee of £20, granting me free London travel until I was entitled to my 'free' 65 plus Freedom pass. That scheme has now been amended, it's a £20 initial fee PLUS £10 each year to renew until you qualify for your 65 plus Freedom pass, so you now currently pay £60 in total for what cost me £20! And of course travel time restrictions have now been reimposed on 60 plus and 65 plus Freedom passes! We in London do of course have the delightful Mayor Khan who has driven our local transport authority (TFL) bankrupt a number of times in his tenure, so revenue raising rather than service is the name of his game, other authorities may be overseen by more competent people and be at less risk!
I have signed the petition, in the hope that it may have some impact, but at still well under 8000 signatures, it's not looking terribly promising it will be greatly influential!
Quote: Originally posted by Pixie_Hez on 13/3/2024
I admire the spirit behind this but I doubt this will ever happen for the very reason pointed out by Gari. If a 60 year old from Scotland with a Scottish bus pass is allowed to travel for free on English busses there will be an outcry and probably all sorts of legal action from 60 year olds in England who have to wait years before they can travel for free in their own country. Before a reciprocal agreement could be brought in, all 4 countries of the UK would have to give bus passes at the same age.
I am not sure it really matters. To use a bus pass you have to have a bus pass and anyone in the UK under 65 does not have a bus pass. Exceptions might be a disabled person. Also bus passes are not completely equal now as some cities allow their citizens to use trains and trams but a visitor can only use the bus. As a matter of historic fact (rather than politics) it was the last Labour Government that introduce the country wide bus pass. I think even then they had hoped to extend across all devolved administrations. Who knows but it is possible that any new administration could be more in favour of the idea?
My bus pass was delayed, as my pension was delayed, I was 63 when I got both. However I've always thought that the bus pass shouldn't be completely free, even a modest charge would make a big difference to the local Council.
In Greater Manchester the standard bus fare for adults without passes is now £2 per journey, not a huge amount when you consider parking fees. And we can pay an extra £10 per year to enhance the bus pass for travel on the tram network, and on trains in the local area.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Users of bus passes whilst Touring
via mobile 09/3/2024 at 8:41am
