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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that they make it purposefully impossible to apply successfully for an over 60’s bus pass?

139 replies

GreekDogRescue · 08/03/2023 20:04

I am over 60 and have been trying to apply for my over 60’s Oyster card for some time now.

I have my passport, my driving licence, utility bills, my NI number and inside leg measurement but the online form refuses to accept the photo of my passport. It also refuses to let accept my driving licence details.

instead of asking for your passport or driving licence number like any ‘normal’ form, it wants all the tiny letters and symbols at the bottom, and they have to be put into 5 special boxes.

it says I can download a form to take to a post office but gives no details of this mythological form.

I went to a post office but they said they stopped doing over 60’s applications ‘ages ago’.

I have paid my taxes all my life and am furious that this is being made so difficult. It is highly discriminatory as there will be many elderly people who just give up. None of my over 60 friends have managed to crack it either.

I would like to sue London Transport for age discrimination 🤬

PS. I did manage to submit my passport application online but this is MUCH harder

OP posts:
kitcat15 · 08/03/2023 21:16

Nolongera · 08/03/2023 20:14

I know they don't.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-travel-concession-authorities-on-the-england-national-concessionary-travel-scheme/guidance-for-travel-concession-authorities-on-the-england-national-concessionary-travel-scheme#:~:text=Eligible%20people&text=1.1%20There%20are%202%20broad,was%2060%20years%20of%20age.

1.2 Previously the eligible age for concessionary travel was 60 years of age. However, since 6 April 2010, the age of eligibility for concessionary travel in England has been tied to the pensionable age for women. So, as the pensionable age for women gradually increases from 60 to 65 so too will the age of eligibility for concessionary travel increase for both men and women.

Show quote history

There’s free bus and Mersey trains in the NW from 60

ilovesooty · 08/03/2023 21:17

The top four areas of the UK for life expectancy are in London.

SecretVictoria · 08/03/2023 21:19

CatsGinAndTwiglets · 08/03/2023 20:09

I’m rural so it’s about 2 buses a week here- at least Londoners get something useful! And the eligibility ought to match the current pension age anyway.

It does where I live ( Gtr Manchester), currently 66. Although they did allow certain women who just missed out at 60 to have one.

Original poster
GreekDogRescue · 08/03/2023 21:19

@ilovesooty I ought still be ‘young’ enough to work but this process has aged me considerably.

OP posts:
SecretVictoria · 08/03/2023 21:22

LemonLymanDotCom · 08/03/2023 21:04

Don’t feel peeved about public transport in London, get peeved with your own lack of public transport. I noticed when I was living up there temporarily, transport so shit in the north (well was in the north west), so get peeved at that, and deservedly so! That’s not the fault of us Londoners.

Show quote history

My friend lives in quite a rural area of Lancashire. Her council will either issue a bus pass or will pay for a Senior Railcard. She chose the railcard as she gets about 4 buses a day, her children are all over the UK, so the railcard was the better option for her.

Original poster
GreekDogRescue · 08/03/2023 21:22

@Countquack It might be, but as an ancient 60 year old, how am I meant to know how to make it the right format?
I’m practically a pensioner not some kind of IT genius.

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 08/03/2023 21:24

ilovesooty · 08/03/2023 21:17

The top four areas of the UK for life expectancy are in London.

About 10 years higher than Blackpool.

ilovesooty · 08/03/2023 21:26

Oh stop whining. 60 isn't ancient.

Original poster
GreekDogRescue · 08/03/2023 21:27

@Confuzzlediddled I honestly don’t care if I am defying the ‘terms and conditions’.
they can ship me off to a penal colony for all I care.
If they are promising a service they should make it accessible to those who are entitled to it.

OP posts:
RiktheButler · 08/03/2023 21:30

GreekDogRescue · 08/03/2023 20:18

@Nsky62 You get a free off peak bus and travel pass if you live in London.
my OH has one.
it really is a thing!

Your husband has one?
Guess it's not so impossible to get then....

Original poster
GreekDogRescue · 08/03/2023 21:30

@ilovesooty Just you wait till you get to 60 and then come back and tell me it’s not ‘ancient’.
Ancient is a compliment anyway; think about the pyramids or the acropolis. Wonders of the world. Ancient is great.
#FightingAgeDiscriminationTogether

OP posts:
Houseplantmad · 08/03/2023 21:32

It’s really not that difficult to apply for and TFL has some of the most helpful customer service people that I’ve ever come across. Perhaps give them a call for some help. They will make it accessible for you.

ShipOfTheseus · 08/03/2023 21:33

Just phone them up and they’ll either talk you through it or do it for you. My DH has one.

Is the way you entered the passport numbers? I’ve got a feeling it’s easy to think they are asking for one set of numbers, but they want another. Maybe I’m muddling it with something else.

EmmaEmerald · 08/03/2023 21:34

GreekDogRescue · 08/03/2023 21:03

Why can’t they let us do these things at the library or post office like in ye olden days.
it’s so discriminatory 🤬🧌

They do allow it but you have to pay £20

www.transportforall.org.uk/information-advice/travel-information/london/concessionary-travel/60-oyster/

EmmaEmerald · 08/03/2023 21:35

Houseplantmad · 08/03/2023 21:32

It’s really not that difficult to apply for and TFL has some of the most helpful customer service people that I’ve ever come across. Perhaps give them a call for some help. They will make it accessible for you.

Also this, I have called and they're always lovely.

Original poster
GreekDogRescue · 08/03/2023 21:35

@RiktheButler He got his years ago and this year they made him renew it (in case he got younger I guess).
it’s taken him weeks but he thinks he might be nearly there now but he has to send in a photo. Prior to that he kept trying to fill in the online form but then it refused to accept his email address - “This email address is already registered”.
I have no idea how he figured it out.
also he is now 66 so is entitled to a Freedom Pass which is EVEN MORE COMPLICATED.
(of course it’s not free as we pay for it in our taxes).

OP posts:
autienotnaughty · 08/03/2023 21:36

If you go to your local council customer service centre they should be able to help you. You will need to book a appointment usually

Original poster
GreekDogRescue · 08/03/2023 21:37

@EmmaEmerald I went to the post office but was told they stopped doing it ‘ages ago’.

OP posts:
ShipOfTheseus · 08/03/2023 21:38

You have to renew it every year -or at least prove it’s still valid - by proving you still live in London.

Westfacing · 08/03/2023 21:39

Houseplantmad · 08/03/2023 21:32

It’s really not that difficult to apply for and TFL has some of the most helpful customer service people that I’ve ever come across. Perhaps give them a call for some help. They will make it accessible for you.

Yes I found that too - my 60+ card somehow got bent and wouldn't scan and the very helpful TFL woman on the phone sent a replacement. This card is a sort mini pass, can't be used in other cities.

At 66 I got my proper Freedom Pass, or my big girl's card as I called it!

LindorDoubleChoc · 08/03/2023 21:41

Fist bump op. I qualified recently and gave up on the whole process. I'm not a dinosaur when it comes to getting things done online either.

Westfacing · 08/03/2023 21:42

ShipOfTheseus · 08/03/2023 21:38

You have to renew it every year -or at least prove it’s still valid - by proving you still live in London.

That must be a recent thing, I never had to renew mine in the six years before the full Freedom Pass.

ilovesooty · 08/03/2023 21:42

GreekDogRescue · 08/03/2023 21:30

@ilovesooty Just you wait till you get to 60 and then come back and tell me it’s not ‘ancient’.
Ancient is a compliment anyway; think about the pyramids or the acropolis. Wonders of the world. Ancient is great.
#FightingAgeDiscriminationTogether

I'm older than you are. I still think 60 isn't ancient and you're whining.

DorritLittle · 08/03/2023 21:45

Just call TFL for help OP. I know it’s easier to moan online…

Teeheebeehee · 08/03/2023 21:48

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