New call for changes to free bus travel scheme for people over 60

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Department for Transport confirmed last year that the Labour Government has “absolutely no plans to withdraw the concessionary bus pass scheme” for people over State Pension age or those with a disability.

However, a new online petition is calling for the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) to be expanded and follow the Scottish Government’s lead by providing free bus travel to everyone over the age of 60.

Petition creator Karen Hickman argues that the current scheme is “unjust” and calls for “equality for everyone over 60”. The campaigner explained that people in England, living outside London, are not entitled to free bus travel until they reach State Pension age - 66 for both men and women - which she believes has “changed dramatically.”.

The ‘extend free bus travel for people over 60 in England’ e-petition has been posted on the petitions-parliament website. At 10,000 signatures, it would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government and at 100,000 it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament.The petition states: “We call on the Government to extend free bus travel to all people over 60 years old in England outside London.