Latest news with #TransportforWestMidlands
Wales Online
09-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Over 60s urged to take advantage of little-known freebies and discounts
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Anyone over 60 is being urged to take advantage of a host of little-known freebies and discounts you may already be missing out on. While some may think the bargains begin rolling in once you are officially of pension age, 66, there are actually eight main offers you should be thinking about before then. Prescription medication is free for anyone who is 60 or over, and all you have to do to start receiving your medical items for free is to inform the chemist at the till and complete the back of the prescription, according to Lancs Live. Proof of age may be needed to show the pharmacist you are of the correct age, but this tip is worth noting as paying for a prescription can set you back around £9.90 each time. READ MORE: State pensioners warned as key DWP payment rises could take 'six to eight months' And in a similar vein to free prescriptions, eye tests also become free on your 60th birthday. This change could save you between £20 and £100 dependent on the optician you visit, and it is advised to bring your identification with you in case you are questioned about your age. Unfortunately, you do not automatically receive financial aid with the price of glasses, but there are certain opticians who may do discounts. For example, Specsavers offers those over 60 to snag 20 per cent off if a pair of glasses is bought from the £70 range or above. This handing saving applies to frames, lenses and any other add-ons, such as lens protection treatments or sun protection. Another bonus of celebrating your 60th year around the sun is discounted rail travel. By applying for a Senior Railcard, anyone aged 60 or over can enjoy a third off all Standard and First Class tickets on Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance fares. The railcard can be used at almost any time during the year, including on weekends and public holidays. However, it is advised those with the railcard avoid travelling at Peak times, Monday to Friday, when when journeys are made entirely within the London and South East Network Railcard area, as these are not included. The Senior Railcard website includes more information on travel conditions. Public transport rights also extend to bus passes when you turn 60. Many UK residents qualify for free bus travel at 60, but this heavily depends on where you live. READ MORE: State pension warning as key date for 'people working longer' arrives For example, residents in Wales and those living in London (travelling within the city) can get one at 60. According to Transport for West Midlands, when you receive your bus pass corresponds to the age you qualify for a pension. In addition to public transport hacks, shops like Iceland also do a deal for those who have turned 60. A 10 per cent discount is offered every Tuesday at stores across the country, but customers must have an Iceland Bonus Card and may need to show proof of their age such as a senior bus pass, driving licence or Senior Railcard. Boots also offers an over 60s reward programme shoppers are advised to get involved with as this membership can lead to invites to exclusive events, and extra points at services such as Boots Hearingcare. Finally, for those looking to spend some time relaxing at the cinema, some cinemas offer discount programmes for individuals over 60. Odeon's Silver Cinema Club offers discount tickets, at just £3.50 for entry, with special film screenings during quieter times aimed at more mature audiences. Perks such as free tea, coffee and biscuits before the film starts are also included in the small fee.
BBC News
24-04-2025
- BBC News
Free West Midlands bus travel scheme leads to millions of extra trips
A free bus travel scheme has resulted in five million extra journeys across the West Midlands in a year, officials Passenger Incentive Programme, funded by the government and delivered by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) in partnership with bus operators, was launched in May last employers and organisations were offered free or discounted travel for staff, which included hospital workers. Free evening travel was also available in the run-up to Christmas.A final decision on moving to a bus franchising model for the region, which would put services back into public control, will be made next month. West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said the scheme aimed to encourage people to make the long-term switch to bus leavers, apprentices, and charity workers also benefitted, he said."That's why I am doing what it takes to get our buses working for everyone and why we are looking at bringing them back under public control, making them easier and more affordable for everyone," he said."The uptake on the free travel has been fantastic. We've seen five million extra journeys over my first year in office, but we still need to do more to make the region's buses work better for local people."Earlier this month, TfWM said thousands of people had taken part in a three-month consultation on whether the county's services should be brought back into public free travel scheme is part of a wider £20m programme by TfWM, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), aimed at helping the bus network recover from falling passenger numbers post-COVID and rising fuel and operating Fiducia-Brookes, artistic director at Coventry-based Underground Lights, which supports people with experience of homelessness and mental health challenges, said the scheme helped her employees."It's wonderful to see the impact this free travel offer has had on our members, enabling them to access our workshops and other opportunities in the region," she said."Our members have made 3,381 journeys through this scheme, and they say they feel less stressed and have a greater sense of freedom and wellbeing as a result."There are an estimated 236 million journeys on the West Midlands bus network every year, officials added. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Road closures start as new station being built
Five months of road closures have begun as work continues to build a new railway station. Willenhall will be one of two new stations on the Walsall to Wolverhampton line, with the other being at Darlaston, under an £85m project. But the work will lead to disruption, including the southbound closure of Bilston Street and Rose Hill in Willenhall until 11 August. Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has said there will be diversions in place and has advised people to allow extra time for their journeys. In the final weeks of the work, from 18 July, Bilston Street will be fully closed at weekends. TfWM said bus services would be diverted as a result, but there would still be access to properties and businesses. The two stations will mean "quicker and more reliable journeys to places like Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Walsall", TfWM has said which will reduce "congestion and pollution". It said the project, which is part of the West Midlands Rail Programme, will also create jobs and restore more than a hectare of brownfield land, which is land previously used for industrial or commercial purposes. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Surprise building causing station headache New railway stations proposed for three areas West Midlands Combined Authority
BBC News
24-03-2025
- BBC News
Road disruption warning as new Willenhall station being built
Five months of road closures have begun as work continues to build a new railway will be one of two new stations on the Walsall to Wolverhampton line, with the other being at Darlaston, under an £85m project. But the work will lead to disruption, including the southbound closure of Bilston Street and Rose Hill in Willenhall until 11 August. Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has said there will be diversions in place and has advised people to allow extra time for their journeys. In the final weeks of the work, from 18 July, Bilston Street will be fully closed at said bus services would be diverted as a result, but there would still be access to properties and two stations will mean "quicker and more reliable journeys to places like Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Walsall", TfWM has said which will reduce "congestion and pollution".It said the project, which is part of the West Midlands Rail Programme, will also create jobs and restore more than a hectare of brownfield land, which is land previously used for industrial or commercial purposes. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
17-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
West Midlands bus network in extended funding deal
A new funding deal to stop a number of West Midlands bus services being cut has been West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) board has green lit an extension of the Bus Network Support Grant which provides financial support to will be extended from 1 to 30 April, with a new arrangement kicking in from 1 May to 31 December. The decision comes amid public consultation events on plans to bring services under public control.A report to the board revealed last month, that more than 30% of current commercially-operated routes would be put at risk without the funding, while fares would face bigger hikes. West Midlands mayor Richard Parker dismissed claims that the network was "failing", although he has pledged to introduce a franchising system – to replace the current deregulated model – which would bring control of the routes, timetables and fares back under public a meeting on Friday, Mr Parker said the authority provided about £50m in grants a year to operators, but despite the funding, bus fares had increased while services had been reduced."Tens of thousands of our residents rely on our bus network every day to get to school, college and work, and access essential services like doctors' appointments," he told the meeting."But our bus network isn't working for our residents. And this annual round of negotiations, to agree funding to prop up a failing system, is exactly why we need a better solution to how we run our buses."That's why we are taking steps to bring the service under greater public control and ensure it remains affordable and accessible to everyone."Under the proposal, WMCA body Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) would set bus fares, timetables and routes, while awarding contracts to private bus operators to run those consultation has attracted more than 3,000 responses before the 30 March deadline to respond. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
