Pensioners Bus Passes Scotland

[Jordyboy9]

I have just read that the SNP are thinking of reviewing bus passes for scottish pensioners,my opinion would be this is an area that should be left alone, otherwise the next election total wipeout for SNP

[albaqwerty]

Spath, it's free travel to those who are eligible, but not free for the bus companies who get paid from the (ahem) government.

Jordy, raising the age is just ludicrous, the SNP seem to like shooting themselves in the foot recently.

[sunny-dave]

Spath - you are living in fantasy land if you think the only cost is 'printin and mailing the passes'

Every trip by an Old Git is ticketed by the bus companies and the Government (either local or national) then pays for the ride.

There may be some 'block grant' arrrangements on some busy services, but it still costs money to let the Old Gits wander the Trossachs.

[mushroom25]

Old Gits, sunny D?

they're "Twirlies" - as in standing at the bus stop at 09h20 and the driver denies access with the phrase "you Twirlie"....

[albaqwerty]

lol, my old git is entitled to one but hasn't been ersed to get his photo taken so he pays to get to work.
He's a daft old git.

[Buenchico]

Changing the qualification age for a bus pass would only bring Scotland into line with England.

Originally the qualification age (for the whole of the UK) was set as 60, simply because that was the age when women would receive their state pension (with men being giving equal treatment with women). When the pension age for women started to rise,the qualification age for a bus pass started to rise in England. (So the qualification age is currently just reaching 65. It will then go on to 66 and eventually to 67). Scotland decided against following suit and decided to peg the qualification age at 60 but, as they've now realised, it was a very expensive decision (and the money used for it could possibly be better spent elsewhere).

[sunny-dave]

Spath - of course it makes a difference - without the Old Gits the busses would be empty and the companies would cancel them

[albaqwerty]

Jordy, you're right, can't criticise him unless you want to be labelled a racist.

Can't seem them daring to revoke the existing free travel passes.
(bunch of 'insert adjective of your choice')

[sunny-dave]

Spath - it costs approximately £1.17 billion per annum to provide the statutory free local bus travel concession in England and (pro rata) a similar amount in Scotland.

You might find this pdf document useful :

https://tinyurl.com/ycaj7zyk

[ToraToraTora]

perhaps wee jimmy is finally realising that if you dish out lots of stuff for free someone somewhere has to pay.

[Islay]

Of course it costs! its not just a case of printing it - the number of 'free' places used stops paying passengers therefore someone has to pay !

[Jackdaw33]

//transport minister Humza Yousaf \\

Now there's a good old Scottish name.