Alan Whitehead

Labour Party | Southampton Test

10,000 MISSING OUT ON FREE BUS TRAVEL

Dr Alan Whitehead, Member of Parliament for Southampton Test, is calling for a city-wide effort by everyone in Southampton to increase awareness of the free nationwide pensioner bus pass, due to be introduced in April 1st.

Over 10,000 over 60s in Southampton have yet to claim their bus pass and may be paying bus fees unnecessarily.

Figures from the Department of Transport show that 40,145 over 60s in Southampton are entitled to free bus travel anywhere in England.  However to this date Southampton City Council has only issued 30,000 free passes- a shortfall of 10,145, or approximately 25%.

Dr Whitehead said:

“Many constituents have expressed their frustration about the unfairness of Hampshire pensioners being able to travel for free across all of Hampshire, while Southampton pensioners could only travel within the city limits.  Under the new nationwide bus scheme being brought in this practice will now end- which means there has never been a better time to claim your free bus pass.

“I would encourage everyone who has a friend or relative who is over 60 or disabled to remind that person to take full advantage of this new right to travel, by claiming their pass as soon as possible.”