Latest news with #buspass
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Nearly half a million children sign up for cheap bus travel
The number of children using Jersey's bus company has risen by almost half a million since a cheaper bus pass was AvanchiCard scheme gives children under 18 access to unlimited use of the service for £25 a States voted to approve the plans in December 2021 as part of the Jersey Government Plan. Kevin Hart, director of LibertyBus, said 1.1m children used the school buses in 2024, up from 650,000 in 2021. Despite having reservations at the start, Mr Hart said the scheme had been "hugely successful"."I wasn't in favour because I knew young people would catch a bus for one or two stops, and then get off," he told BBC Radio Jersey."But now 20% of our passengers are children, which is a really good thing because they are the future bus users."Mr Hart added that the fact the school buses are so full means fewer cars are on the roads for the school run."[Children] accept that the bus is convenient and it's actually given parents so much more freedom. They don't have to pick them up or drop them off at school," he said.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Disabled commuter calls for bus pass rule change
A campaigner has called for time restrictions on disability bus passes to be scrapped. Hans Gording said current rules which allow those eligible to travel for free between 09:30 and 23:00 on weekdays needed changing. "We get the carrot of the free bus pass but then we get beaten up by the stick because we are not allowed to travel when normal commuters travel," he said. A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said local authorities had the power to extend the passes, with 77% of councils offering free travel before 09:30. Mr Gording, who works for Harrogate-based charity Disability Action Yorkshire, has Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) and can no longer drive from his home in Knaresborough to his workplace in Harrogate so uses public transport to get to work. "It's almost the assumption that disabled people don't work, as most businesses start work from 9am but you can't travel before 9am," he said. In York and North Yorkshire, disabled passengers can travel for free from 09:00, but in neighbouring West Yorkshire they cannot travel for free until after 09:30. Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said he had spoken with the government about the issue. "At the moment we have a postcode lottery across England, in different places you have different restrictions on the times that people who have a disabled bus pass can use it. "We know many people want to use them to go to hospital appointments, to go to work, to employment, to education and training and, at a time when people are worried about potential cuts to disability benefits, the restrictions on those bus passes just adds to that additional cost." A DfT spokesperson said: "We fully recognise bus passes are vital to many and provide access to job opportunities, essential services, and keep people connected. "Local authorities have the power to extend the times when disabled passholders can use their concessionary bus passes locally, and 77% offer free travel before 9.30am. "We're already in the process of making ambitious reforms to improve bus services for passengers, supporting local areas to improve reliability and helping to cap fares." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Disabled commuter calls for bus pass rule change
A campaigner has called for time restrictions on disability bus passes to be Gording said current rules which allow those eligible to travel for free between 09:30 and 23:00 on weekdays needed changing. "We get the carrot of the free bus pass but then we get beaten up by the stick because we are not allowed to travel when normal commuters travel," he said.A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said local authorities had the power to extend the passes, with 77% of councils offering free travel before 09:30. Mr Gording, who works for Harrogate-based charity Disability Action Yorkshire, has Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) and can no longer drive from his home in Knaresborough to his workplace in Harrogate so uses public transport to get to work."It's almost the assumption that disabled people don't work, as most businesses start work from 9am but you can't travel before 9am," he York and North Yorkshire, disabled passengers can travel for free from 09:00, but in neighbouring West Yorkshire they cannot travel for free until after 09: Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said he had spoken with the government about the issue."At the moment we have a postcode lottery across England, in different places you have different restrictions on the times that people who have a disabled bus pass can use it."We know many people want to use them to go to hospital appointments, to go to work, to employment, to education and training and, at a time when people are worried about potential cuts to disability benefits, the restrictions on those bus passes just adds to that additional cost." A DfT spokesperson said: "We fully recognise bus passes are vital to many and provide access to job opportunities, essential services, and keep people connected."Local authorities have the power to extend the times when disabled passholders can use their concessionary bus passes locally, and 77% offer free travel before 9.30am."We're already in the process of making ambitious reforms to improve bus services for passengers, supporting local areas to improve reliability and helping to cap fares." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Telegraph
Pensioner circumnavigates Britain on his free bus pass
A pensioner is circumnavigating Britain in an epic 3,000-mile journey using his free bus pass. Brother John Green's six-week trip will see him travel around England, Scotland and Wales to mark the approaching 900th anniversary of the almshouse where he lives. His 'Brother on a Bus' tour will see him visit 31 cities and towns as he aims to raise awareness of the medieval Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty in Winchester, Hants. Brother John, 85, will complete the trip dressed in the black gown and trencher hat that all 'brothers' residing at the almshouse are required to wear. 'I look a little bit different so people come up and talk to me,' he said. 'A lot of people are very friendly. I have learnt a lot about all sorts of things from people's lives. 'We get talking and they all think I'm absolutely bonkers, of course.' The retired businessman and book-binder has been living at the almshouse, which was founded in 1132, for 10 years. He was inspired to take action when several vacancies came up which took some time to fill, deciding it was time to spread awareness of the almshouse, which can house 25 men. Brother John set off on the meticulously planned route on May 1 in a 'blissful' vintage vehicle provided by King Alfred Buses with many well-wishers waving him off. He stayed in Brighton with four monks for his first evening of the trip. 'Which I can tell you is quite a different companion to the last time I was in Brighton,' he said. He has already secured places to stay at the majority of his stops, but is still looking for accommodation in Glasgow, Cardiff and Bangor. The trip has already seen its share of drama, thanks to roadworks in Great Yarmouth, which meant he was dropped off some distance away from the spot where the next bus was awaiting his arrival. A search party was sent out, and he was eventually put back on track in a bus to Cromer, Norfolk. Brother John's longest days will see him travel from around 9.30am to 6pm, with stops for lunch in various places, including Cromer, where he enjoyed the village's renowned crab. In preparation for potentially bumpy journeys, he had packed several cushion seats, but having decided the bus seats are 'perfectly comfortable', he has now left the cushions with a friend. He plans to travel Monday to Friday, carrying a copy of the book English Eccentrics, explaining: 'The weekends are for me to put my feet up and have a glass of gin and tonic. Celebration of resilience and community 'I'm staying with people most nights so they've very kindly been providing me with supper and a chat before a jolly good night's sleep.' 'I'm thoroughly enjoying myself,' he added. 'If you don't do something to keep yourself entertained, what would you do? 'This is more than a journey; it's a celebration of resilience, community, and gratitude. 'After finding belonging at St Cross during a tough time, I want to show others that it's never too late to find purpose – or to take a leap. 'I hope to show people that almshouses are not just places to live, but places to thrive. And at 85, I want to prove it's never too late for an adventure.' St Cross is a Grade I-listed building and has served as a home for the poor and needy since its foundation. The almshouse – the oldest form of charitable housing in the UK – is home to a small group of men aged 65 and over. Almshouses date back to the Middle Ages, with modern examples providing cheap social housing to older people in need. At St Cross, brothers enjoy a self-contained flat, dating back to the 15th century, and free monthly haircuts. Brother John's journey is expected to come to an end on June 17. Supporters can donate at
