In the UK, people over the age of 66 do not receive discounts on public transportation

By TravelWiseFeb 18, 2024 10:10 AMNews
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In the UK, people over the age of 66 do not receive discounts on public transportation
It is not yet known whether pensioners are entitled to free travel. Source: Photo: Pixabay

In the UK, individuals aged 66 and over may not be eligible for free public transportation. Despite calls for the introduction of travel privileges, the government denies working on a national scheme.

Currently, pensioners residing in London can apply for a Freedom Pass, allowing them to use local buses from 9:30 to 23:00 on weekdays and throughout the day on weekends. This information is reported by the Daily Express.

It is noted that the "Freedom Pass" can be utilized outside London, but this decision rests with local authorities. Consequently, the country grapples with the absence of a unified travel ticket covering the entire nation.

Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell raised this issue in Parliament and directed it to the Secretary of State for Transport. In response, Roads Minister Guy Opperman affirmed that legislation permits "mutual recognition" of travel cards. However, he acknowledged having "no plans" to consider a broader scheme.

"Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area, so the administrative arrangements in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland differ from those in England. The Concessionary Travel on Public Transport Act 2007 provides for the potential of mutual recognition of concessionary bus passes across the UK through future regulations, but there are currently no plans to introduce such a mechanism," stated Guy Opperman.

Currently, it is known that the petition initiated by Charles David Smith, urging the introduction of discounted travel cards, has garnered over 2300 signatures from concerned citizens. It is mentioned that to elicit a government response on this matter, the petition's author needs to amass the requisite 10,000 signatures.

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