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Bus scheme unfair, says OAP
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| Gwynneth Cooke |
A pensioner has said a new national concessionary bus pass scheme was unfair, as the times the pass allows people to travel varies between districts.
The new pass, which comes into force on April 1, entitles anyone over 60 or disabled to free travel on local buses between 9.30am and 11pm.
But three out of five district councils in Oxfordshire have decided to run the Government-
subsidised scheme from 9am instead, and meet the extra cost themselves, although Cherwell and Vale of White Horse District Councils have not.
Gwynneth Cooke, 73, from Kidlington, said: "I realise these passes are issued by different councils, but surely if a scheme is national, then it should be just that, not national with regional variations."
Both leaders of Cherwell and the Vale said the decision not to extend the scheme was taken for financial reasons.
Cherwell leader Barry Wood said it would cost council taxpayers an extra £120,000 annually.
He added that extending the scheme in the future was still a possibility.
7:24pm Sunday 23rd March 2008
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CommentPosted by: SJT, OX on 8:14pm Sun 23 Mar 08
I am sorry - but this is just whingeing.
There is a very generous national scheme - the complainant should be very grateful for that. Anything over and above that should be seen as a bonus and treated as such.
If she really must travel between 9 and 9.30 - then she must be prepared to meet the costs herself. That is what the national standard is.
Simple as that.
I am sorry - but this is just whingeing.
There is a very generous national scheme - the complainant should be very grateful for that. Anything over and above that should be seen as a bonus and treated as such.
If she really must travel between 9 and 9.30 - then she must be prepared to meet the costs herself. That is what the national standard is.
Simple as that.
Posted by: Bus traveller, no car, Abingdon on 8:32pm Sun 23 Mar 08
Oh no, this is not a whinge, the good lady is quite correct. Starting times should be exactly the same in ALL council districts throughout the land, or there will be chaos when getting on a bus at 10 minutes past nine when in say Weymouth, or Southampton, only to find that they do not start until 9.30, oh and we do stay B&B so like to spend as much time with our grandchildren as much as we can when we are there. Without a car we do not see any of them very often. Visitors to this area will have exactly the same problems.
Oh no, this is not a whinge, the good lady is quite correct. Starting times should be exactly the same in ALL council districts throughout the land, or there will be chaos when getting on a bus at 10 minutes past nine when in say Weymouth, or Southampton, only to find that they do not start until 9.30, oh and we do stay B&B so like to spend as much time with our grandchildren as much as we can when we are there. Without a car we do not see any of them very often. Visitors to this area will have exactly the same problems.
Posted by: g, oxon on 9:08pm Sun 23 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Bus traveller, no car[/bold] wrote:
Oh no, this is not a whinge, the good lady is quite correct. Starting times should be exactly the same in ALL council districts throughout the land, or there will be chaos when getting on a bus at 10 minutes past nine when in say Weymouth, or Southampton, only to find that they do not start until 9.30, oh and we do stay B&B so like to spend as much time with our grandchildren as much as we can when we are there. Without a car we do not see any of them very often. Visitors to this area will have exactly the same problems.[/quote] just allow for it starting at 9.30, anything else is a bonus.
would you prefer it if the three districts that offer early starts canceled them to make it easier to understand?
Bus traveller, no car wrote:
Oh no, this is not a whinge, the good lady is quite correct. Starting times should be exactly the same in ALL council districts throughout the land, or there will be chaos when getting on a bus at 10 minutes past nine when in say Weymouth, or Southampton, only to find that they do not start until 9.30, oh and we do stay B&B so like to spend as much time with our grandchildren as much as we can when we are there. Without a car we do not see any of them very often. Visitors to this area will have exactly the same problems.
just allow for it starting at 9.30, anything else is a bonus.
would you prefer it if the three districts that offer early starts canceled them to make it easier to understand?
Posted by: ricky, waiting on 1:59am Mon 24 Mar 08
got all day no work!!
Posted by: Mr Ison, England on 2:27am Mon 24 Mar 08
I have an idea,why not pay for the services you use?
If you do not have the money then either dont use them and/or form a charity.
Thus those so inclined can give and those who need to retain more of their own money to merely exist need not.
I view it as an anti-inflation measure.
I have an idea,why not pay for the services you use?
If you do not have the money then either dont use them and/or form a charity.
Thus those so inclined can give and those who need to retain more of their own money to merely exist need not.
I view it as an anti-inflation measure.
Posted by: Air Stealer, Oxford on 8:28am Mon 24 Mar 08
These bliddy pensioners think the world owes them a living, stop whining, if I had my way I'd charge you for using the bus's, what makes you have the right to travel for free when the rest of us have to pay? Plenty of pensioners have a far bigger disposable income than those of us who work to subsidise ungrateful sour faced old crows like this one.
These bliddy pensioners think the world owes them a living, stop whining, if I had my way I'd charge you for using the bus's, what makes you have the right to travel for free when the rest of us have to pay? Plenty of pensioners have a far bigger disposable income than those of us who work to subsidise ungrateful sour faced old crows like this one.
Posted by: Jongo, Oxon on 8:52am Mon 24 Mar 08
I fail to see how half an hour makes a difference to a pensioner as I am after 9.30am the buses are nearly empty. Before that they are generally full of people needing to get to work and thereby support the economy of the country.If I need the bus earlier which will be once in a 'blue moon' then I will pay a single fare and use the pass for the return journey.
I fail to see how half an hour makes a difference to a pensioner as I am after 9.30am the buses are nearly empty. Before that they are generally full of people needing to get to work and thereby support the economy of the country.If I need the bus earlier which will be once in a 'blue moon' then I will pay a single fare and use the pass for the return journey.
Posted by: Martin, Cumnor on 9:59am Mon 24 Mar 08
The pensioner from Kidlington who makes the original moan should be very grateful. There are more buses going in and out of Kidlington than many other areas through out the county. I can't believe she is so 'poor' that she couldn't pay the full fare before 9.30 anyway. The Government introduced this 'freebie' and then forgot to actually fund it properly. Even those Council Districts that stick with the 9.30 national start time will need to find more cash as the formulae used annoys the bus companies who find it unfair. Adult fares have gone up massively anyway and it's no good whining about 'rich' bus companies. They operate in a commercial world which both Tory and New Labour condone leaving the County Council to patch up the network with some subsidies and the Districts funding a 'national' scheme. Crazy!
The pensioner from Kidlington who makes the original moan should be very grateful. There are more buses going in and out of Kidlington than many other areas through out the county. I can't believe she is so 'poor' that she couldn't pay the full fare before 9.30 anyway. The Government introduced this 'freebie' and then forgot to actually fund it properly. Even those Council Districts that stick with the 9.30 national start time will need to find more cash as the formulae used annoys the bus companies who find it unfair. Adult fares have gone up massively anyway and it's no good whining about 'rich' bus companies. They operate in a commercial world which both Tory and New Labour condone leaving the County Council to patch up the network with some subsidies and the Districts funding a 'national' scheme. Crazy!
Posted by: Neil, Oxford on 10:40am Mon 24 Mar 08
Bus Traveller - why should every district be the same? There is a national minimum scheme - fine - and then each council has the option to embelish it.
It is up to each council to decide whether it is value for money and a high eneough priority for them to do so.
My own view is that 9.30am to 11pm is a pretty good deal for pensioners and I would prefer my council to spend my council tax on other things.
Bus Traveller - why should every district be the same? There is a national minimum scheme - fine - and then each council has the option to embelish it.
It is up to each council to decide whether it is value for money and a high eneough priority for them to do so.
My own view is that 9.30am to 11pm is a pretty good deal for pensioners and I would prefer my council to spend my council tax on other things.
Posted by: The ghost of Robert Malthus on 11:10am Mon 24 Mar 08
Quite right.
Pensioners are an economically useless sector of society. Totally surplus to requirements.
Just as parasitical on us hard working tax dodgers as the unemployed and disabled.
The sooner we get euthanasia up and running the better. In the meantime we should stop giving them handouts and starve them off as I suggested for the unemployed in the 19th century.
Very popular suggestion that was, have no idea why Bevin and his lefty chums had to ruin it.
Quite right.
Pensioners are an economically useless sector of society. Totally surplus to requirements.
Just as parasitical on us hard working tax dodgers as the unemployed and disabled.
The sooner we get euthanasia up and running the better. In the meantime we should stop giving them handouts and starve them off as I suggested for the unemployed in the 19th century.
Very popular suggestion that was, have no idea why Bevin and his lefty chums had to ruin it.
Posted by: shirl, oxford on 11:28am Mon 24 Mar 08
This is just complaining for the sake of it. You are travelling free for heavens sake! Would it be preferable if the times were changed to 10:00 instead? I'm an OAP who still works full time and am hugely grateful for free travel. What difference can half an hour make? Be happy with what you've got and stop being greedy.
This is just complaining for the sake of it. You are travelling free for heavens sake! Would it be preferable if the times were changed to 10:00 instead? I'm an OAP who still works full time and am hugely grateful for free travel. What difference can half an hour make? Be happy with what you've got and stop being greedy.
Posted by: David, Brighton on 11:59am Mon 24 Mar 08
Also Bus Traveller - the 9am benefit only applies in the district in which you live. Everywhere else it is 9.30 if you don't live there. SO your Southampton and Weymouth problem can't happen. For someone from Oxfordshire it is 9.30am everywhere else.
Also Bus Traveller - the 9am benefit only applies in the district in which you live. Everywhere else it is 9.30 if you don't live there. SO your Southampton and Weymouth problem can't happen. For someone from Oxfordshire it is 9.30am everywhere else.
Posted by: Tram2town, York today on 4:08pm Mon 24 Mar 08
I will have one of these soon but as I am no longer ready to meet the world before 10am even the 9:30 timing won't bother me.
I will have one of these soon but as I am no longer ready to meet the world before 10am even the 9:30 timing won't bother me.
Posted by: DanOxford on 12:16am Tue 25 Mar 08
Be fair- she needs to get back in time for Bargain Hunt, Homes Under The Hammer, Countdown and Cilla Black and Carol Vorderman reminding her she'll be dead soon so better put some aside for the grandchildren.
Be fair- she needs to get back in time for Bargain Hunt, Homes Under The Hammer, Countdown and Cilla Black and Carol Vorderman reminding her she'll be dead soon so better put some aside for the grandchildren.
Posted by: sue, Oxford on 11:16am Tue 25 Mar 08
What is her problem? I think the free bus scheme should apply only out of rush hour and school times. People need to be on the bus at this time and they are crowded enough with out old people and their trolleys.
What is her problem? I think the free bus scheme should apply only out of rush hour and school times. People need to be on the bus at this time and they are crowded enough with out old people and their trolleys.
Posted by: Bus traveller, no car, Abingdon on 8:08pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Sparked off a good debate here. Ghost of Rev Thomas Malthus, how outmoded and discredited his theories were. Remember Ghost to include your own parents, grandparents and, if you have them, great grandparents and indeed yourself in the euthanasia package because if you live long enough, you too will get old someday. This bus ticketing farce would not occur if it were not for parsimonious elected councils screwing everyone in council taxes each year at above inflation rates for little real benefit. Not all pensioners are super rich and it is difficult to get by on a flat pension, try living on a pittance. Yes I would prefer to pay my way but the British old-age pension has always had the distinction of being the lowest amongst the leading nations of Europe. I am unfortunate in that I am now too old to emigrate to Germany or Switzerland where the grass is definitely greener and benefits paid for a lifetimes' work (45 years) is better rewarded. The bus pass is indeed chicken feed!
Sparked off a good debate here. Ghost of Rev Thomas Malthus, how outmoded and discredited his theories were. Remember Ghost to include your own parents, grandparents and, if you have them, great grandparents and indeed yourself in the euthanasia package because if you live long enough, you too will get old someday. This bus ticketing farce would not occur if it were not for parsimonious elected councils screwing everyone in council taxes each year at above inflation rates for little real benefit. Not all pensioners are super rich and it is difficult to get by on a flat pension, try living on a pittance. Yes I would prefer to pay my way but the British old-age pension has always had the distinction of being the lowest amongst the leading nations of Europe. I am unfortunate in that I am now too old to emigrate to Germany or Switzerland where the grass is definitely greener and benefits paid for a lifetimes' work (45 years) is better rewarded. The bus pass is indeed chicken feed!
Posted by: Chris Witcher, Kidlington on 7:39pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Many older people, particularly in the rural areas will not be able to travel until late into the morning. Many disabled people will not be able to attend their day services and work placements on time. People needing to attend hospital appointments will also be affected. Many older and disabled people are already on low incomes and are vulnerable to becoming isolated from the community services that are available to them, the reality is that when a disabled person can't access transport to a day centre social services will have to provide special transport for them at a much higher cost to the tax payer, travel costs will likley increase as the the bus company will have to spend more time checking passes from people traveling across different authorities. Cherwell's actions are hitting the most needy and I hope they reconsider.
Many older people, particularly in the rural areas will not be able to travel until late into the morning. Many disabled people will not be able to attend their day services and work placements on time. People needing to attend hospital appointments will also be affected. Many older and disabled people are already on low incomes and are vulnerable to becoming isolated from the community services that are available to them, the reality is that when a disabled person can't access transport to a day centre social services will have to provide special transport for them at a much higher cost to the tax payer, travel costs will likley increase as the the bus company will have to spend more time checking passes from people traveling across different authorities. Cherwell's actions are hitting the most needy and I hope they reconsider.
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