To think free bus passes for the old should be abolished?

[Bumpitybumper]

Statistics show that on average wealth peaks at age 65-74 in the UK, why then do we give these people free bus passes? It makes absolutely no sense at all and is just an unnecessary expense. The idea that 'young' pensioners are a relatively poor group of people is completely incorrect and it only serves to enhance the already massive intergenerational wealth gap between baby boomers and everyone else.

@Bumpitybumper
Instead of continually bleating on about 65-74 year olds being the richest in the country, how about a link to some evidence then?

This is the third of fourth post accussing me of trying to kill off old people because I think that those between 65-74 shouldn't be entitled free bus pass. Can we please keep some perspective?

"unless you start after 9.30/10"

I mean this is pretty bog standard these days. I see you are one of those folk that reckons they've paid in from your other posts which explains a lot. Thanks for your opinion and "gotcha" attempt though.

I think that's the difference then. Where I'm from Yorkshire Golden Triangle there is a bus twice an hour that takes you to two of the three main towns in the area. Driving is usually quicker because the bus goes around the houses but plenty of people (including my mum) will often use the bus and it's not about affordability but because overall it's more convenient. Obviously less wealthy people won't have the choice - they can't choose to drive - but using the bus isn't thought of as something only poor people do. More populated areas have more frequent buses but twice an hour is fairly standard unless so rural there's effectively no bus coverage.

This.

My mum probably uses it more because it's free and she's from Yorkshire where we like to get free things, but she'd still use the bus a fair amount even if it wasn't free.

Sounds very similar to one in Kent . Goes through DMs Village

That goes to 3 large towns, and stops inbetween.
Canterbury, Whitstable and Faversham. Though last I heard Triangle route is in danger.

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/personalandhouseholdfinances/incomeandwealth/bulletins/totalwealthingreatbritain/april2020tomarch2022#:~:text=The%20wealthiest%20households%20were%20those,aged%2065%20to%2074%20years

Are they the wealthiest group? I would’ve thought people at the top of lucrative careers would be the wealthiest group.

Does everyone who struggles financially become wealthy at 65? Is it the free bus travel that tips them into that bracket? Do their rock star and aristocratic friends meet them at the bus stop?

We can't take our car into our city centre as it's a year too old but I love my bus pass.

I don’t understand what you mean by this? Are you saying your car is too old?

Wealth makes no difference to your capacity to pay for services if that wealth is tied up in property. So I assume you mean pensioners with good incomes, over and above the state pension. Those pensioners, flush with cash from good pension arrangements/investment portfolios, will be paying their fair share of tax. If some of them use subsidised transport services, and don't really need the financial help, well, they will be paying tax, and sometimes that's the price of not cutting services to the bone.

Subsidised bus passes help people who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford it, to get to appointments, to visit places and friends, have a social life, maybe volunteer and carry on contributing to their community, or assist with childcare for grandchildren. The benefits for physical and mental health are well-documented. They make providers of services have to think about access for users that might be less mobile, which benefits everyone. They make public transport and public places more diverse - I find it comforting, as a 50-something woman, not to get onto a bus wholly occupied by loud young people!

PP have also mentioned keeping at least some cars off the roads, and giving people a safe option if they shouldn't really be driving any longer. My father really should have stopped driving long before he finally did, and his bus pass meant that a lot of his journeys were done by public transport, keeping him and the public safer!

I don't think you've really thought it through, OP.

This is exactly the type of bus I was on. I saw people parking their lovely cars and waiting at the bus stop. It definitely isn't just a service for the poor! Before the bus prices cap was introduced it used to cost £10 each way on the bus so that was a huge saving for the people with free bus passes.

I think they should bring in free bus travel for anyone under 25, then in 5 years time increase it to 30

This

I read once that this is the only thing keeping many bus routes going. If that is true, as someone who doesn't drive I absolutely support anything that keeps routes alive. And I agree with pp who said anything that gets people out of cars is good. Maybe we should give passes to folks on UC as well (though it would be better if public transport was cheaper for everyone across the board).

Many OAPs will get the bus to their hospital appointments, as it’s free without parking charges.

if you take away their free bus pass good luck getting parked

Yes free public transport for all would be better and hopefully have a positive impact on the environment

Early Alzheimers and possible dementia - still planning on a trip to Barbados for a few weeks 😣 - might have to go with them to make sure they stay out of bother, every cloud and all that

Agree, that's the dream and probably the only way to lure substantial amounts of people away from cars.

@Bumpitybumper
It's you who needs to get some perspective
You have no idea, and certainly are devoid of empathy.
All those posting about means testing have no idea of the administration this would involve, that is why the winter fuel payments were given to all.

I have thought it through. You just disagree with me which is fine. I disagree with you on virtually everything you have written but will say that Of course your wealth impacts your ability to pay for services even if it's tied up in assets. It gives you financial flexibility in a way that people with assets don't benefit from. You can often downsize your asset if needed. I'm not just talking about old people here either, lots of people do this when the children leave home etc. I have several friend in their 50s that have done this to release money to fund their kids through university or to make life my ore affordable as the mortgage rates were cripplingly. Pensioners shouldn't be immune to this, neither should anyone else.

Yeah free euthanasia at 65 , solve all the country’s peoblems at once 🙄🙄🙄

Op when you get to finally retire I hope that people haven't listened to people like you

I hope you get a few years of good health where you can spend the savings from your decades of hard work and have sone enjoyment at last in your life

I am in my 50s. All my friends can't downsize because their kids are living with them, as are mine. Most are living rent free, as are mine!

Exactly

@MikeRafone re the hospital parking in your response I don't agree with the op

It's mean spirited and doesn't stack up