There often aren’t many perks associated with getting older, however receiving a free bus pass, or freedom pass in London, when you hit retirement age is definitely a perk.
There have been whispers that it maybe be removed, or perhaps means tested as per the winter fuel allowance. All rumors and speculation at the moment, however bus passes are more than just a benefit to those that have them, the benefits spread across society.
There have been numerous studies on the subject and they are all in agreement that the benefits far outweigh the costs with regards to reducing isolation, improving social integration, improved mental health of pensioners. Which in turn reduces spend on social and health services.
It supports local businesses by encouraging people to shop and visit local amenities, a positive environmental impact by reducing the number of journeys made by car and overall contributes to continuing and improved transport networks.
We spoke to Carol, a retired Magistrates Court Clerk, about the bus pass and how important it is to her.
Getting out and about
‘While I do drive and have a car, as I am getting older and fast approaching 80 it isn’t something that I feel as comfortable doing, especially for longer distances. This is where the bus pass is essential for me. It allows me to get out and about and meet up with friends across my local area’
Supporting local businesses
‘We meet in a local town normally and go to a little coffee shop for lunch, we try to go there rather than the bigger chain shops as we like to help support a local business and the lady and man that run it are so friendly. They know our order and don’t even have to ask any more. Luckily we’re all creatures of habit and don’t change our order each week.
We normally have a quick wander around the shops afterwards or if there is something good on then we often go to the cinema too. They have OAP showings where a hot drink and biscuit are included in the price.’
Digital divide
‘For me the bus is so much easier, it might take a bit longer but I normally find someone I know to have a chat with along the way. It also means I don’t need to find a parking space, or fathom how to pay for parking with my phone. I normally end up ringing my daughter when faced with one of those ‘pay by app’ things and get her to sort it for me. The bus just takes all of that stress and panic away, and it also drops me right in the centre and saves me the walk from the carpark.’
Carol is just a single example of the benefit a bus pass brings to both her and her local community. We are sure there are many other. Transport is one of our key campaign areas as part of Later Life Ambitions, we’re campaigning for increased investment in local bus and rail services, for uprated concessions, and for improved accessibility and assistance for older people on all new bus and railway stock and facilities.
You can read more about our transport campaign activity here.
