The Travelogue magazine, which dropped on my mat this morning, states that from April 1 2006 (I trust it isn't a joke) the production of a senior citizen's pass or mobility pass will ensure free travel on local buses in South Yorkshire. There is an after 9.30am restriction clause on weekdays.

Yes, it was a promise of the Labour government that all pensioners would get free off-peak local bus travel, and that is when it comes into effect.

Sounds like from what you are saying SYPTE have chosen to apply that to Mobility pass holders too.

However the concessionary fare will still be payable on trains, and possibly trams too.

The article does go on to say: "The Transport Executive are looking at proposals that would extend the free travel offer to cover these aspects of public transport:

* Local train travel
* Tram travel in Sheffield
* Travel after 9am on weekdays for S/c, and
* All day travel for Mobility Pass holders.

Keeps 'em from blocking the supermarket gangways!!

Originally posted by CHAIRBOY
The article does go on to say: "The Transport Executive are looking at proposals that would extend the free travel offer to cover these aspects of public transport:

* Local train travel
* Tram travel in Sheffield
* Travel after 9am on weekdays for S/c, and
* All day travel for Mobility Pass holders.

If the PTE and operators (bus/rail/tram) agree terms to these additional terms this is NOT funded by Central government and has to funded out of Local district Council Taxes.I think one of the questions to ask is how is it going to be monitered by the Pte is it trust the operator or does a Zero Fare ticket have to issued so the PTE gets a head count on passenger numbers?

Personally I don't think it should be extended, except possibly for pensioners to use trams.

I hold a Mobility pass myself, and I have that because for medical reasons I do not drive. However, I do have a job and earn a living, so I cannot see any justification for my bus travel to be further subsidises. As a council tax payer I would not like to see my tax bill go up to pay for it either.

I would also argue that for pensioners, bus travel is often depended upon to get to the doctors, shops etc, so is essential. However local trains is generally an optional leisure trip, so is not essential, therefore for that reason taxpayers should not be subsidising free travel. In any case, I'm sure most pensioners will agree 80p return is not a high price to pay for a day out to Barnsley or Doncaster.

Originally posted by silverknight
I think one of the questions to ask is how is it going to be monitered by the Pte is it trust the operator or does a Zero Fare ticket have to issued so the PTE gets a head count on passenger numbers?

The exising passenger surveys I guess!

It's a bit annoying, though, if you are in a wheelchair and can't get on a bus because it isn't a low floor route, and yet the tram runs past your door! Correct me if I'm wrong but someone, say, who lives at Winn Gardens?

Don't forget these free passes are for anyone over 60 years old which to my mind is plain stupid when men are still working and do not draw their pension until they are 65. Why should we have to pay extra council tax etc. to pay for these people travelling too and from work for free.

Originally posted by Andy C
Personally I don't think it should be extended, except possibly for pensioners to use trams.

I hold a Mobility pass myself, and I have that because for medical reasons I do not drive. However, I do have a job and earn a living, so I cannot see any justification for my bus travel to be further subsidises. As a council tax payer I would not like to see my tax bill go up to pay for it either.

I would also argue that for pensioners, bus travel is often depended upon to get to the doctors, shops etc, so is essential. However local trains is generally an optional leisure trip, so is not essential, therefore for that reason taxpayers should not be subsidising free travel. In any case, I'm sure most pensioners will agree 80p return is not a high price to pay for a day out to Barnsley or Doncaster.

Could they not have spent the £1.5 million they are using to replace the shelters in town on the subsidies for tram and train?Or sack many of the cleaning staff and security they have wondering around the bus station everyday?

When Sheffield was a decent place to live in the 60's the public transport was run by the council and all pensioners got free travel throughout south Yorks. It cost 1p in the pound on the rates. Anyone who begrudges pensioners reduced prices should be ashamed of themselves. They have worked all their lives for the privelege

Originally posted by sparky2
Don't forget these free passes are for anyone over 60 years old which to my mind is plain stupid when men are still working and do not draw their pension until they are 65. Why should we have to pay extra council tax etc. to pay for these people travelling too and from work for free.

Same reason as when "these people" contributed through THEIR taxes to your child allowance/dole or whatever. You don't state your birthdate in your profile but even if you aren't a parent yourself yet, someone would have recieved child benefit on your behalf.
My parents didn't live long enough to draw their pensions but they had contibuted it through their lives through THEIR taxes.
And yes, I AM one of "these people" too, retiring 3 years ago after making my OWN contributions to the system since I started work at 15.
You too will be one of THESE PEOPLE that you seem to bear a grudge against.
:rant:

Well said JoanL :clap:

Who pays for all this free/reduced price bus travel?
The long suffering middle age middle income majority; it costs about £1.50 just from Abbeydale Road into town now, I don't need to go every day for work so when i do go I just park up within 10 minutes walk (it's about half an hour from my flat). If bus prices were reasonable I could just pop on one, but I refuse to pay their extortionate fares, and no I'm not lazy and I'm sure I could walk there and back but i just don't always have time. Pete

Originally posted by sparky2
Don't forget these free passes are for anyone over 60 years old which to my mind is plain stupid when men are still working and do not draw their pension until they are 65. Why should we have to pay extra council tax etc. to pay for these people travelling too and from work for free.

Sparky lad why should anyone have to pay to travel to work? the gaffers should pay. It is only because arseholes keep voting in tory governments and councils that we have to

My point was that you are not a pensioner until you are 65 so why get free travel after you are only 60 and you are still working.

Women can retire at 60 at the moment and get their pension, thereby becoming pensioners....
Pensioners can also work but pay a much higher rate of tax.
Therefore their FREE travel is PAID travel by another door.

:)

What I should have said was that I dont agree with people under pension age getting free travel unless they ar in invalidity I know women retire at 60. As far as paying higher tax after retirement age I'm note sure you are correct about that

Originally posted by sparky2
What I should have said was that I dont agree with people under pension age getting free travel unless they ar in invalidity I know women retire at 60. As far as paying higher tax after retirement age I'm note sure you are correct about that

Please believe me, it's true and because you are on a capped wage as it were, if you do overtime or work an extra shift then you would see very little of the extra pay.:)

What I should have said was that I dont agree with people under pension age getting free travel unless they ar in invalidity I know women retire at 60. As far as paying higher tax after retirement age I'm note sure you are correct about that
I don't know how old you are sparky2 but I am a working pensioner through necessity not choice and my government pension is taken off me in tax because it's added to my income. I've worked all my life going back when my children were six weeks old because my husband has been ill for a long time. I think I've earned free bus fare. I pay full rent and full council tax before you ask.:rant:

its a great idea - they get the fuel payment money too - to keep their houses warm at night and can spend all day on the buses - saves on spending money keeping warm in their houses - plus they get to meet people - perhaps a couple more circular bus routes then they could stay on all day :)

its a great idea - they get the fuel payment money too - to keep their houses warm at night and can spend all day on the buses - saves on spending money keeping warm in their houses - plus they get to meet people - perhaps a couple more circular bus routes then they could stay on all day :)
Such sarcasm is out of order. I hope you live to be 97 and not have the ability to pay to get out

its a great idea - they get the fuel payment money too - to keep their houses warm at night and can spend all day on the buses - saves on spending money keeping warm in their houses - plus they get to meet people - perhaps a couple more circular bus routes then they could stay on all day :)
you always came across as a sensible bloke.

precisely...

Londoners over 60 have had free travel for yonks - finally they're startng it in your part of the world.

:)

the best public transport system I have ever seen was in Prague. It was cheap, clean and reliable. Also it was entirely integrated so one 'saver' ticket worked on trains, trams and buses. It's getting to the point over here where itll soon be cheaper to have a car!

it is already - if you are able to navigate the myriad of puzzles set by the road planners