Hands off our free bus passes
Dec 7 2009 By Mike Olley
MRS Olley, the elder, may not be a natural Gordon Brown fan. In confidence, I can tell you that I suspect she will be propping up the Lib Dems in Solihull.
However, when it comes to her free bus pass, she does have a soft spot for Mr Brown.
In April 2008, Gordon and his chums introduced free bus travel for all. Free travel that is, anywhere in England.
Mrs Olley was delighted. She was not alone. All those who live in England and are over 60 fit snugly into the entitlement bracket for a free, anywhere in England bus pass.
What my mom may not be aware of is that this is nothing new to the Midlands. Before I became a Labour councillor in 1991, free travel for pensioners around the West Midlands was well established. In fact, we may even have inspired our Gordon, who knows?
More than ten million people in England benefit from free travel.
Phil Tonks, of the Bus User Group UK, thinks it’s a great idea: “It’s very successful and very popular. The over 60’s can roam at their leisure, free of charge.”
Tory councillor Bruce Lines also agrees: “It’s the least we can do for our OAP’s.”
Bill Gates may have given us “silver surfers”, however Gordon Brown went one better and gave us “silver Tarmac surfers”.
But there is a problem for my mom. Currently I am trying to plot a journey from her home in Solihull to Marshall Meadows Point. For those who don’t know the “Point”, it is the most northerly spot in England. This should take her at least 22 hours using her free bus pass. I anticipate the last leg on the No 67 Perrymans Bus to Beswick Upon Tweed could cause her a problem!
Another problem she may have is with several Tory newspapers and their thinktank buddies. They would like to do away with the current scheme. Not scrap the scheme, but means test it.
They ask why a 62-year-old in full time employment should be given a free bus pass. If you’re a laugh-a-minute accountancy type, it’s a fair point.
But the Tory press and their thinktank buddies aren’t elected or have to think. Their way of the dreary accountancy way means “means testing” and regulators.
Straight away that means a £150,000-a-year chief regulator. He (for it will be a he) needs a large and expensive staff, all with aristocratic pensions and posh offices. Above them you need a panel of commissioners. They will ensure the regulators get it right. They won’t cost that much. They will absorb plenty of MBEs, the odd knighthood, but will be low on cost.
I say no to the regulators and commissioners. Leave it as Gordon envisaged it. Phil Tonks rates it and Coun Lines likes it.
My mom, on the other hand, is still worried about being sent to Northumbria on the bus. Did I really say 22 hours?
