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Veteran broadcaster Dame Joan Bakewell today led a pensioners' revolt against calls to scrap free bus passes for the middle classes.
A report for town hall chiefs says only the poorest should get free travel - and that the better-off should pay.
Dame Joan, 76, who was appointed to be a voice for older people by the Government last year, said: "It's a big mistake, it is heading for disaster."
She warned that the Government would be hit by a huge backlash if councils went ahead with the idea. "It will put elderly people's backs up tremendously and they are a lot of voters."
Free bus passes for all over-60s were brought in at a cost of £1billion a year.
The report commissioned by the Local Government Association said: "Better targeting at the scheme's intended beneficiaries would generate savings which could support lower-cost travel."
Dame Joan said: "One of the perks of getting older is a free bus pass. From whatever level you start, you suffer a drop in income when you retire."
Reader views (9)
Having worked hard and contributed to this country's economic growth I was looking forward to my well earned free bus travel to which is now being disgracefully under threat. Livingstone introduced the nonsensical free travel for kids in London stating it would help youth go to museums and find jobs, what rot. All I see is kids riding around aimlessly and are even too lazy to climb the stairs denying older, less nimble people seating and to see children offer their seats to elderly is a rare sight. Why not scrap free travel for kids and asylum seekers whom do not contribute to London's growth? Why should pensioners subsidise others free transport?
- E. Carroll, London, 17/08/2009 10:37
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The suggestion of ending free bus travel for over-60's is a scandal, particualrly in London where youths are given the licence-to-joyride and take up all the valuable seating, whilst causing mayhem. Over-60's in London have generally paid into the system and deserve their free travel. It is a joke that the government spend millions trying to get fat kids fitter by employing the likes of Jamie Oliver to create kids menus, then allow them free bus travel in and around London. I regularly witness schoolkids getting on buses to travel just one or two stops. I have even seen some actually board buses in the middle wheeling their bikes onboard. Also they board buses (instead of walking or cycling) carrying junk food and high calorie snacks having spent their 'bus fare' cash they have just saved on fattening and teeth rotting foods - where is the logic in that? Whilst pensioners have to skimp on food and heating or do without to survive. If MP's actually travelled on public transport they would see all this. Boris Johnson has done a great job since taking over from Livingstone whom introduced this ridiculous system of free travel to kids, but he seems blinkered to this massively flawed idea because of his obsession with cycling. Cycling is great yes, but not for pensioners. Get kids on their bikes instead and make the lazy youth of today walk those few stops and then they would not have the cash to waste on junk and snack foods that get them overwieight. It is as simple as that !
- Mr. Alan Birtwistle, Richmond-upon-Thames, UK, 15/08/2009 10:27
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Before we had free bus passes in Norfolk, one could buy a DAY PASS for £1.90 which was half the full price. Presumably this amount was then charged to the local council. Now one is issued with a SINGLE TICKET for every journey which means when travelling to the hospital, for example, four single tickets are issued which total £8.80. If this is now the amount charged to the local council by the bus company then of course the local council is having trouble with its budget and the bus company is reaping more profit than it should actually be entitled to.
- Sylvia Gordon, Norwich, Norfolk, 09/08/2009 22:20
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Axe free travel for all the young who travel round my area causing problems and then they jump back on and go back to wherever the live. If they had to pay we wouldn't see them. Thanks Livingstone.
- Grim Reaper, Hell, 07/08/2009 13:32
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Labour hitting the middle classes once again! All Labour care about are single mums, unemployed, and others who live in council houses but can somehow afford to smoke, drive BMWs, buy the latest gadgets and take foreign holidays. It seems with each passing week we would all be better off quitting our jobs and living off the state under Labour.
- Mark, London, 07/08/2009 13:26
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Mad to even contemplate axing free bus travel passes for over 60's. Apart from reducing pollution and road congestion, the off peak travel motivates towards a very mobile and active lifestyle.
It seemed at one with the govt's (almost over-demented) berating and dictats about reducing fat and taking more exercise). We are now being told that it's practically a civic duty to walk so many times a week as this will cut down drastically on the NHS resources. So, to take away free bus travel, (essential on most pensioners budgets), sabotages the healthy lifestyle that we're being 'driven' to adopt.
- J. R. T., London, 07/08/2009 11:21
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I assume that Gormless Brown and Dizzy Darling waved their fiscal (prudent?) wand over the projected cost of free bas travel for pensioners and they both OK'd it.
When compared to what the UK is throwing at Brussels EVER DAY, the cost of free bus travel for pensioners is peanuts.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK, 07/08/2009 04:00
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Maria, full agreement. If Brits had the guts to stand up and say that they want out of the E.U. straightjacket, the U.K. would save £20billion a year. But Brits seem scared for some reason to go for a return to self-government. Instead they seem content to simply allow the new E.U. federal state (country) to shortly be given birth, and let the country of their birthright become a province -- another Florida or Ohio. I'll never understand this mentality!!!!! So many such as Harry Patch gave their all to preserve a sovereign country, and now the present generation seems ready to just hand self-government over. Brussels is already the de facto central government; soon it will be the de jure central government (Lisbon Treaty, aka E.U. Constitution).
- Phil Jones, London UK, 06/08/2009 21:49
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A big thank you to the older Brits for working hard, investing in the country and paying your Tax and National Insurance. We will require a one off payment for daring to live longer. Sorry, we will have to remove your bus passes and for many, that will simply remove you from active life.
we need this money for our EU friends who come here to have their babies and enjoy the services you, so kindly, paid for.
The only things free in Britain are those taken by the EU. Stop robbing the elderly and start charging the EU.
And therefore would the media stop referring to our Public services are free!
- Maria, London, 06/08/2009 12:23
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