Welsh Government to Revise Concessionary Pass Scheme

Dai Corner · 27 Jul 2019

riceuten said:
It depends on who is paying, and who you ask, and what the effect on passengers would be.

Local government is not properly reimbursed for the cost of the scheme, and the operators are paid a pittance, but woe betide any government who wanted to substantially alter the scheme to make it more economic. The political cost would be enormous.

The Welsh Government has suggested that it is going to raise the age at which people become eligible for a pass to State Pension Age. We'll find out how big the political cost is.

RailUK Forums

big all · 27 Jul 2019

Dai Corner said:
The Welsh Government has suggested that it is going to raise the age at which people become eligible for a pass to State Pension Age. We'll find out how big the political cost is.

the same as it is in england then

Dai Corner · 27 Jul 2019

big all said:
the same as it is in england then

England outside London, I believe?

mmh · 27 Jul 2019

There's a similar conversation happening on the thread about whether or not bus passes should have time restrictions or not. My reply there is relevant here too.

mmh said:
"Bringing it into line with what happens in England" is not a strong argument to use in Wales.

big all · 27 Jul 2019

Dai Corner said:
England outside London, I believe?

all passes are valid in the same way and funded by local taxes on top off some central "help" any additional benefits will be for local people paid for by local taxes

Wirewiper · 28 Jul 2019

Dai Corner said:
England outside London, I believe?

There is a 60+ Oyster available to London residents over 60. There is a one-off charge of £20 and it gives free travel at all times within Greater London, and on TfL services outside Greater London, but does not give ENCTS concessions outside London. The 60+ Oyster expires at State Pension Age at which point the holder can apply for a Freedom Pass, which does give ENCTS concessions throughout England.

All ENCTS pass holders can use TfL bus services for free 24 hours a day, but do not get free travel on any rail services.

Dai Corner · 28 Jul 2019

Wirewiper said:
There is a 60+ Oyster available to London residents over 60. There is a one-off charge of £20 and it gives free travel at all times within Greater London, and on TfL services outside Greater London, but does not give ENCTS concessions outside London. The 60+ Oyster expires at State Pension Age at which point the holder can apply for a Freedom Pass, which does give ENCTS concessions throughout England.

All ENCTS pass holders can use TfL bus services for free 24 hours a day, but do not get free travel on any rail services.

Thanks for the clear summary.

The Welsh pass has no time restrictions and is currently free to all over 60. The proposal is that it will only become available at State Pension Age with some sort of transition arrangement. Those who already hold a pass on some as yet unspecified date will keep it even if they don't meet the new age criteria.

As I'm 60 next year I'm hoping I manage to qualify before the changes are introduced!

big all · 28 Jul 2019

we had free bus passes in england at 60 till the government changed around 2010 then it went to state pension age in my case 65years 3 months and eight days not that i was counting

Welsh Government to Revise Concessionary Pass Scheme

Dai Corner

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