Bus Passes

[Mr Skrunts]

Just been chatting to a lady that turned 60 today and after reminising a chatting about all sorts she said I get free presciptions as of today.  So then bus passes got mentioned and the fact she has to wait till she is 67 to get hers.

Well thinking she was wrong I went on google - Scotlanf, Ireland & Wales are all free for anyone over 60 according to .gov.uk.  they are also free to anyone within London.  But the rest of England it's sweet break All.

[Rangie]

We got ours at 65 in Lincolnshire, used mine in 2019 for a couple of trips to Peterborough excellent no parking worries etc, unused since because of the pandemic, when we are out walking the dog we see the buses regularly completely empty all the time, funny enough we commented yesterday as to how long these bus companies will survive in our area.

[Doctor Gollum]

If we're paying for it, you might as well use it

[STEMO]

We already paid for someone else's 
But they didn't cost anywhere near as much as the benefits you've been getting for the last 12 months 

[Rangie]

We already paid for someone else's 
But they didn't cost anywhere near as much as the benefits you've been getting for the last 12 months 

. 

And we're still paying.

[dave the builder]

I wonder if I'll get a free teleporter pass when I get old   

[STEMO]

I wonder if I'll get a free teleporter pass when I get old   

Of course, what with you only being 22 and all.

[Sir Tigger KC]

I wonder if I'll get a free teleporter pass when I get old   

Watch out for those pesky flies though!   

[dave the builder]

I wonder if I'll get a free teleporter pass when I get old   

Of course, what with you only being 22 and all.

thanks Uncle Stemo 

I'll be having another "very small ,exclusive" birthday party the end of the month ,thanks to lockdowns 

[Broomies Mate]

This may divide opinion;

Prescriptions,
Bus Passes,
Winter Fuel Allowance,
Eye Tests (and vouches for Glasses, Contact Lenses),


Just because you are of 'an age' doesn't automatically mean you are destitute.  There are many, many pensioners who have a very healthy income (and kudos to them), so why are they entitled to 'free' or 'discounted' anything when there are people of a younger age (maybe just a year or two) who cannot afford those same things and are forced to pay for them by-hook-or-by-crook?

It's becoming more prevalent, and rightly so, but all concessions should be means tested, and only handed to those who genuinely need them.

[STEMO]

This may divide opinion;

Prescriptions,
Bus Passes,
Winter Fuel Allowance,
Eye Tests (and vouches for Glasses, Contact Lenses),


Just because you are of 'an age' doesn't automatically mean you are destitute.  There are many, many pensioners who have a very healthy income (and kudos to them), so why are they entitled to 'free' or 'discounted' anything when there are people of a younger age (maybe just a year or two) who cannot afford those same things and are forced to pay for them by-hook-or-by-crook?

It's becoming more prevalent, and rightly so, but all concessions should be means tested, and only handed to those who genuinely need them.

Agreed. But I'm afraid you won't get the general (older) population to agree with you, they're 'entitled'. Also, how far do you take it? Should the state pension be means tested?
I have that it would cost almost as much to do the means testing, for the benefits you mentioned, as the money saved. But, hey ho, it is what it is.

[dave the builder]

OK , I don't want to go on a smelly bus anyway , even if it's free 

[STEMO]

OK , I don't want to go on a smelly bus anyway , even if it's free 

When I got my bus pass I went on a bus to 'try it out'. That was the first and last time I used it.

[Rangie]

I can't see us ever using ours again unless both cars let us down.

[Broomies Mate]

Agreed. But I'm afraid you won't get the general (older) population to agree with you, they're 'entitled'. Also, how far do you take it? Should the state pension be means tested?
I have that it would cost almost as much to do the means testing, for the benefits you mentioned, as the money saved. But, hey ho, it is what it is.

I dunno.... There are already procedures in place for things like Pension Tax Credits.  Maybe if you were entitled to that, you would also benefit from other concessions?