To think bus company should let OAPs on at 9.27

[Mitmoo]

My mum can hardly walk, degenerative heart disease and nearing 80, the bus driver couldn't let her on as it was 9.27 and the bus was not even half full. He was very apologetic but said he could lose his job if he did.

AIBU for thinking the bus company are being unreasonable for not allowing drivers to use their common sense. ie. empty bus, let the OAPs on a few minutes earlier than they are supposed to?

[bubblesincoffee]

You're asking for common sense, but wouldn't it just be common sense for pensioners to wait until the time they are allowed on the bus for free? Or make the choice to pay?

I'm sorry to hear of your Mum's condition though.

And I know what my Gran is like over things like this. Elderly people do get upset over things that are trivial to those if us who have full and busy lives, and something like this would leave my Gran thinking and stewing over it for a week. That wouldn't make her right though.

[Mitmoo]

Inthenight FFS don't be ridiculous, she wasn't stealing just asking to get on a bus three whole minutes earlier.

[Mitmoo]

bubbles mum has accepted it but it made me think it was worthy of discussion.

[squeakytoy]

And she could get on it, IF she had paid. She just couldnt go on it for free.

[usualsuspect]

Its half fare here for oaps before 9.30 ,so they are still getting it cheap

[hocuspontas]

You know, I get quite depressed on here reading what people say about OAPs. What they deserve. A free bus pass is enough for them. Shop at this time. Make appointments at that time etc. As if their lives are less important than busy, busy mums. I hope you never get old and get no compassion from others.

[hocuspontas]

I rest my case. I'm off to bed...

[squeakytoy]

But Hocus, they are not BANNED from using a bus at any other time.. they just have to pay, like everyone else does, and everyone else has to pay ALL the time.

[ChristinedePizan]

I'm not remotely anti-OAP and I also get pissed off at some of the ageism on here. But it's no different to me getting annoyed that I can't get a cheap fare on the train that leaves just before 9.30 because that's when peak travel time finishes.

[A1980]

I have a pass that is valid for zones 1-5. One evening after work, I needed to get to zone 6 which my pass is not valid for. It's simple, I just need to to add money on oyster prepay to cover the extra zone.

I only needed to add £1.50. The manned ticket offices were closed so i had to use the self service machine which needs you to have exact money. I stood in a long ATM queue to withdraw cash. Then I stood in a long queue in boots to buy a chocolate bar to have change to top up by £1.50. it took me over half an hour to get the top up.

Notwithstanding the fact taht I already pay £2000 a year for my travel card, it wouldn't occur to me to just get on the train and ask to be let off as it's only £1.50.

Pensioners shouldn't expect to be let off either.

[usualsuspect]

I'm not anti OP either ,but they have to abide by the rules just like the rest of us

[usualsuspect]

OAP*

[A1980]

I'm not anti OP either ,but they have to abide by the rules just like the rest of us

Amen to that. They're OAP's they're not senile. They understand the rules, they just don't want to accept and live by them.

[DeWe]

It may well be that he can't give the ticket (even the free ones!) before 9:30 as the ticket machines are computerised and have timer on. They were last time I went on round here, and they're fairly old buses here. If he'd let her on without a ticket and an inspector got on, he could be at risk of losing his job as well as her being fined.
I think it depends on the council what exactly their rules are for the OAP passes.

What I do wonder is why the free tickets they give round here are about three times the length of an ordinary ticket.

[Mitmoo]

Inthenight She asked, she was very smpathetically refused, she didn't steal anything, she is a very honest, used to be hardworking, and very ill OAP.

[Birdsgottafly]

Funnily enough, i was having this discussion today.

When my mum was a lollypop lady very few drivers would take the money off her, she was only going three stops. To be fair, if the drivers let them on then the buses would be full of pensioners of a morning, adding to the rush.

Those that are very ill can use the free travel service, those on CT/HB can have their fares refunded. So i suppose that there isn't a reason why they cannot pay, many are on as good a income as people who work, at minimum wage or with high housing costs.

[Marjoriew]

Where I live, I can use my bus pass any time after 9 am in the week and 9.30 on a Saturday and Sunday.
I didn't realize it varied across the country.

[KeepCalmAndPrayToCastiel]

I can use my free bus pass at any time - even morning rush hour. And I would be a bit annoyed if I couldn't get on the bus a few minutes early if there were restrictions here. I wouldn't argue with the driver but I would mutter to myself as I waited for the next bus.

[EdithWeston]

It does vary - each local Council issues the passes and sets the terms for their use: including paying the bus companies for the "free" fares (they're not genuinely free - they're funded from Council Tax).

I don't think it would be right (or indeed workable) to have in place a situation where you give individual drivers the right to let passengers off their fares.

What you can do, however, is lobby your local Council to increase the validity if the free passes to include all services all day. But, to be fair, you should also indicate a countervailing cut or be clear about how much this adds to council tax.

We've had a different problem with unlimited access - buses so full of free pass holders that others cannot get on. Council unable to increase payment from current Council tax revenue (and unwilling to raise council tax). Bus company cannot afford to run loss making services (which is what these in effect become). Fare paying passengers cannot get to work/school on the bus, and then don't come home on the bus either. Apparent demand is thus lower.

Trying to preserve rural bus routes is hard work! The more of us who join in and lobby, the better!

[cjbartlett]

Perhaps you should give her some extra cash op as it sounds like she's struggling
The 9.30 rule does sound a bit daft
Most people have to get to work for 9am don't they?

[SuePurblybilt]

Why did she say it'll be the last time she goes into town? Is that the only bus in the morning?

[Mitmoo]

she didn't steal anything"

No, she tried steal something, got caught and was prevented. Very honest.

FFS she asked driver to let her on at 9.27 she was refused, it hardly makes her Ronald Biggs!!!!!!!!!