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.

Even more so then that it's a waste giving them free bus pases.

Exactly, Youcanpayit. Also access to buses will help to keep the elderly more active and engaged, both shown to help overall health and so, hopefully, save money op for the NHS. It would be short-sighted, bottom line thinking to abolish it.
i don’t know if it is our local buses but there is a £3 cap on fares here. Another great scheme as fares used to be very expensive in our rural area and this helps all ages.

Not sure why you think this! My mum loves her bus pass and has no financial need for it.

Free bus passes are only costing the taxpayer anything if older people are making bus trips they would otherwise be paying for. So for many of the better off older people, it's a perk they're either not using or rarely using so it's not costing the taxpayer very much.

For poorer older people the bus pass can be an absolute lifeline - I spoke to someone recently who rides round on the bus because ithey can't afford to put the heating on and it's warmer than sitting at home.

Social isolation is a massive problem in older age so if a free bus pass is encouraging older people to get out and about it's a win.

As others have said, means testing can be expensive and hard to target. Unlike the winter fuel payment, it's not costing us anything for us to offer a free bus pass to people unless they use it, it's not cash in their pocket.

Discretionary trips made by older people can also help keep bus services running that wouldn't be viable otherwise so if you removed the bus pass the taxpayer would probably be paying for it anyway via direct subsidies to bus companies.

Just more ageist shit-posting on MN then. 🙄

Why don't we just kill all the old people and have done with it eh OP?

Simply "issuing" a bus pass costs very little. It only starts costing "the government" anything when used and when the bus companies claim for the fares.

@Bumpitybumper

Yep. Good idea as clearly anyone over 60 is a drain on society. How about compulsory euthanasia at 65. Would save millions on state pensions as well.

In Scotland, the Young Scot card already gives young people free bus travel. It helps keep bus routes in very rural areas going, and is hugely helpful for students, as well as kids going to school.
In my area, you already have to phone the night before to book a bus, so anything that increases the numbers and might lead to a more regular service is a good thing.

No, I think we need more subsidies for public transport. Reduce reliance on cars, encourage people into town centres, make it easier and cheaper to get to and from work.
I'm pro means testing for almost anything else, but our public transport system needs money spending on it!

Since you asked, I think 75 is reasonable. That way it encourages those who are becoming unsafe to drive to use public transport instead.

Please provide this "evidence" - which is the complete opposite of the experience of countries and cities where public transport is either low-cost or free.

Scotland introduced free bus travel til 22 we now have a heap of antisocial behaviour issues with young lads freely travelling to new areas solely to cause trouble.

I'm happy for pensioners to have free bus travel it means they are more likely to travel by bus which is better for the environment, traffic etc etc.

I'm 75 and worked till I was 72 . I would happily pay a contribution towards my bus pass travel even if it was £1 each way . I have pension credits . I do think families should get free passes as its pricey each way now . I do feel for young mums paying the driver it's tough for them . So I do agree some payment should be taken with the bus pass .

YES YABU

Perhaps a Carousel type death for those you deem OLD would suit You better
How Nasty are You?

they should all get a cyanide pill as soon as they hit pension age. Then all the young hard-done-to people wouldn't have to contribute anything to anyone who can't provide for themselves.

Alternative: all old people get to keep their cars and driving licences no matter what, no retesting no nothing.

ETA: nobody has to take a free bus pass. If any pp have elderly relatives who can afford their own bus fairs should take them off them and shred them.

I'm 'old' (75), have a Freedom pass but don't use it. I have it 'just in case'. I'm sure you are right that many elderly do not need free bus passes but, honestly, you are opening a can of worms by suggesting they are not issued. Think of the outcry about the winter fuel allowance being restricted, despite many still getting it and not everyone needing it anyway.

I'm content with my lot. I paid my contributions while working (still do pay a little tax), and receive the full state pension. That's me, I've no complaints but there are elderly who are extremely hard up, struggling with energy costs and the general rise in the cost of living. They need the free bus pass.

We have to be sensible as we age. For example, many have big, draughty hosues. I had a semi with a garage, long drive, garden back and front. I sold it and bought a two bed flat where I am quite cosy, the bills are very reasonable and I can do as I please. I couldn't manage my house easily so it was a good move. I might move again to a similar place but with a little garden or private outside space, we'll see.

All I hear around me from similarly aged people are moans and groans about the government taking things away from 'us'; most of these moaners are very comfortably off, have good lives and go abroad sun seeking regularly. Fair enough, they are entitled to it, reaping the benefits of their working lives but why moan about not getting a few quid here and there when there are others who really need it? Children, disabled, others who are vulnerable, including some elderly.

I think taking free bus passes away from pensioners would be a drop in the ocean, frankly, would make very little difference to the economy. I don't believe in means testing, that stigmatises people. Either everyone gets it or none, same as free school meals. That way we ensure every child eats.

I doubt the bus passes will be taken away, they are essential for some but a lot, like mine, are unused.

"These people" - nice way to refer to our pensioners OP.

I know, lets just line up every old person the day they qualify for their state pension and shoot them. Then they won't cost us any money at all will they?! 🙄

Not everyone who qualifies for a free bus pass has one. My husband qualifies but he doesn't want one.

Not every pensioner can drive, and some can, but have given up. A lot of them probably could not afford to run a car.

I don't begrudge any pensioner a free bus pass. It was a lifeline for my late mum, and I have many elderly friends who rely on them.

What an unbelievable selfish post. I hope you never get old OP. 😠

Then they should equity release or downsize. Why should I fund them because all their money is tied up in a massive house?

Oh definitely. They can buy up all the non existent smaller homes that first time buyers are struggling to afford and leave their huge houses empty because the young can't afford to buy them. Makes perfect sense!

No one has offered DH a buss pass, but even if they did there are no buses to where he needs to go anyway due to service cuts.

But it isn't automatic, you only have a free bus pass if you actually apply for it. I would imagine the majority of pensioners who can still drive don't bother to apply so not sure why the OP's getting worked up over this.

If a pensioner was wealthy enough to be getting nearly £4000 a month in pensions I doubt they would be waiting around for a bus, much more likely to take a taxi.

Means testing is generally not worth the expense. Flat rate things are so much easier to implement.

Free bus passes a) get people out of cars b) encourage bus-service use - and buses are a life-line to a lot of people, so we need to keep them going and well used.

I support free bus-passes, and in fact, I'd extend them to lots more people, or make bus travel a lot cheaper so more people choose it over their cars.

But she doesn't need it😂

I sort of agree with you, although my free pass is transformative. I dread to think how isolated I would be without it. Yes, I can afford to travel, but I know I wouldn't if I had to pay. Let me suggest something FAR more intelligent.

TO THINK THAT TRAVEL WITHIN ONE'S LOCAL CITY SHOULD BE FREE FOR ALL.

Just think how much this would decrease car pollution and improve quality of life!

More ageist crap on MN. My mum paid tax until she died at 86, had a bus pass which was important to her when she became less confident driving and an important way to have independence.
there are a lot better hills to die on if looking for financial unfairness nowadays.

what age are you OP ? You do know you will be old one day (if you are lucky).

The actual HATE for old people on here is disgusting and MN should get a handle on it .

There is a cost to the bus pass itself and scheme administration.

Bus companies are reimbursed (using a a formula) for each journey taken. So if a pass isn't being used there is only the admin cost. HTH