Changes to the Metro Concessionary Travel Pass
Today I went to get my concessionary rail ticket at Ilkley Station only to find the price of the ticket has increased from 35p to 50p. I don’t remember seeing any notices at any of our ticket offices or ticket machines. All in all a very sneaky way of doing things. This increase started on the 23 May.
This won’t stop me getting the train, as an active pensioner I want to comply with Government advice and keep fit by walking. However an increase of 43% in one go is a hefty increase especially when they did it on the sly. There again there hasn’t been an increase since 2005; but wait a moment my pension hasn’t increased by 43% even over 5 years.
Another shock I got was when I was told that as from the 6 April this year the Government has changed the age at which people become eligible for a concessionary travel pass. Not to worry I’ve already got my pass so am not affected!
However my younger, soon to be pensioner friends will not be so lucky. From 6 April 2010 people no longer receive a free bus pass when they reach their 60th birthday. Instead both men and women become entitled to a pass, in line with the rise in the age at which women become eligible for a state pension. This is rising on a sliding scale, from 60 to 65, between 2010 and 2020. A way of the Government saving £1billion which will affect 720,000 people.
This is another example of why we don’t trust our politicians. This was also kept under wraps. No one wanted to disclose anything before an election, then suddenly all change! Maybe these changes will stop some people using the bus and train service. Unfit pensioners will cost the Government extra money in the long run as it will have an impact on NHS costs as we become less healthy! I hope this won’t affect our Saturday walkers who may have to wait longer for their card and pay a little extra.
23 May 2010
Malcolm Walters
Today I went to get my concessionary rail ticket at Ilkley Station only to find the price of the ticket has increased from 35p to 50p. I don’t remember seeing any notices at any of our ticket offices or ticket machines. All in all a very sneaky way of doing things. This increase started on the 23 May.
This won’t stop me getting the train, as an active pensioner I want to comply with Government advice and keep fit by walking. However an increase of 43% in one go is a hefty increase especially when they did it on the sly. There again there hasn’t been an increase since 2005; but wait a moment my pension hasn’t increased by 43% even over 5 years.
Another shock I got was when I was told that as from the 6 April this year the Government has changed the age at which people become eligible for a concessionary travel pass. Not to worry I’ve already got my pass so am not affected!
However my younger, soon to be pensioner friends will not be so lucky. From 6 April 2010 people no longer receive a free bus pass when they reach their 60th birthday. Instead both men and women become entitled to a pass, in line with the rise in the age at which women become eligible for a state pension. This is rising on a sliding scale, from 60 to 65, between 2010 and 2020. A way of the Government saving £1billion which will affect 720,000 people.
This is another example of why we don’t trust our politicians. This was also kept under wraps. No one wanted to disclose anything before an election, then suddenly all change! Maybe these changes will stop some people using the bus and train service. Unfit pensioners will cost the Government extra money in the long run as it will have an impact on NHS costs as we become less healthy! I hope this won’t affect our Saturday walkers who may have to wait longer for their card and pay a little extra.
23 May 2010
Malcolm Walters
