Enjoy the ride while you can . . . that free travel perk may not last for ever

9:02am Monday 14th April 2008

NOW that my new over-60s bus pass has arrived I can look forward to using it wherever I happen to be in the country.

Already intrepid pensioners are embarking on lengthy trips to see how far they can travel before they get fed-up of cold bus stations, timetable glitches and poor toilets.

I think it is only a matter of time before there is a new publishing explosion aimed at mobile older folk - with guides giving specific information about, say, the local buses needed to get from Bolton to Scarborough without paying a penny.

Or even, in view of our tourism expectations, how to get from Birmingham to Bolton in a similar fashion.

You can bet that people with time on their hands and an eye for detail will be working on this kind of project as you read this article today.

The Government's very welcome concession applies to up to 11 million of us and you can see why there are muttered protests and jealous glances from younger, working folk who have to pay the full fares when they travel.

Bus companies suspect they will not be compensated sufficiently well for all the free journeys anticipated and some local councils - particularly those in seaside resorts or those towns and cities with tourist attractions or major shopping centres - are worried about the impact on their finances.

Something tells me that this free travel system will not last for ever. We oldies should enjoy the ride while we can.

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