The legislation put in place by the Government for free bus travel only requires councils to provide free travel from 9.30am. This is perfectly adequate, given that many people are still on their way to work before that time which is the peak time on the buses.

Amazingly many CountyCard holders can be seen standing at bus stops prior to 9am. Many are retired and have nothing much else to do, so why do they need to be there so early? The notion that they want to get into town early to avoid crowds may be true for some but this being in town a bit later a small price to pay for the free travel they can enjoy throughout the day. A starting time half an hour after peak time is hardly unreasonable.

Of the 42,000 CountyCard holders, a significant minority aren't over 60 but were included for a variety of reasons, for instance because they are disabled, have learning difficulties or specific medical problems.

Unfortunately the councils have no one else to blame but themselves.

The Government conducted consultations with councils which dealt specifically with who would be included in the scheme. However, instead of excluding those who were under 60 (it was originally proposed they would retain the previous half fare) the majority of councils got cold feet and simply included everyone who was in the original scheme. Now councils are moaning about underfunding.

Another problem is there is no halfway house with CountyCard entitlement. If someone has a specific medical condition that is cured in six months they don't have to give up the free pass but continue to enjoy the benefit of it for the full 12 months.

The system of entitlement needs a thorough overhaul to make sure that only the over-60s receive free travel which, after all, is what Gordon Brown originally intended.

  • Jim Smith, Sackville Way Worthing