Have your say on Hampshire's bus pass scheme (From Daily Echo)
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Have your say on Hampshire's bus pass scheme
2:58pm Thursday 2nd September 2010 in
-
- By Melanie Adams » Health Reporter
TIME IS running out to have a say on the future of free bus passes in Hampshire.
As control of the free bus pass scheme is handed from district councils to Hampshire County Council, passengers are being urged to help shape the future of the service.
With 193,000 people in the county relying on concessionary passes, any changes could prove controversial.
Council bosses have promised the basic national free bus pass scheme is not under threat but top-ups to the service, which have been funded by district councils in the past, will need to be reviewed.
Responsibility for the scheme, which offers free passes to people over 60 and disabled people between 9.30am and 11pm during the week and at any time at the weekend, will be transferred to Hampshire County Council in April next year.
The previous Government ordered the transfer in the hope of making savings of up to 12.5per cent.
In light of spending cuts and Government funding, it is not clear how much money will be handed out to continue the scheme, so the council wants to hear from passengers about additional benefits they have enjoyed, such as extended hours to the service.
The council will then be able to decide which of those will be affordable and which will have to be scrapped.
Councillor Mel Kendal, executive member for environment, said: “The basic national free bus pass scheme will certainly continue, there has never been any question about that.
“Over the years since free bus passes were introduced, district councils have topped up the funding provided by the Government for the scheme in order to offer additional benefits, variations and alternatives to residents, according to their requirements and needs.
“We are keen to hear what people think about the current statutory scheme and the variations that could be considered depending on the level of funding we receive.
“There is no avoiding the fact that there are difficult choices to be made but we are determined to establish an affordable scheme which is both consistent and fair to all Hampshire’s older and disabled residents.”
The cabinet will agree details of the new scheme in October following the consultation.
To take part call 01962 845077. All views must be submitted by September 13.
Comments(19)
legod7
says...
3:36pm Thu 2 Sep 10
Condor Man wrote:WHY SHOULD ALL BENEFITS BE MEANS TESTED.
as with all 'benefits' this should be means tested so priority is given to the less well off so at least they can benefit if there are to be cutbacks.
OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE NOT 60 SO YOU DON'T BENEFIT FROM AN OVER 60 BUS PASS.
chapelsaint
says...
4:02pm Thu 2 Sep 10
Victorian Principles
says...
4:23pm Thu 2 Sep 10
legod7 wrote:No need to shout.
Condor Man wrote:WHY SHOULD ALL BENEFITS BE MEANS TESTED.
as with all 'benefits' this should be means tested so priority is given to the less well off so at least they can benefit if there are to be cutbacks.
OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE NOT 60 SO YOU DON'T BENEFIT FROM AN OVER 60 BUS PASS.
Why should someone get a benefit that they don't need? A multi-millionaire over 60 is entitled to a free bus pass. Do they really need it?
Brite Spark
says...
4:25pm Thu 2 Sep 10
News Fanatic
says...
5:09pm Thu 2 Sep 10
Victorian Principles wrote:A multi-millionaire may have a bus pass but is unlikely to use it very much. Until they use their pass, the only cost to the council is the pass itself.
legod7 wrote:No need to shout.
Condor Man wrote:WHY SHOULD ALL BENEFITS BE MEANS TESTED.
as with all 'benefits' this should be means tested so priority is given to the less well off so at least they can benefit if there are to be cutbacks.
OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE NOT 60 SO YOU DON'T BENEFIT FROM AN OVER 60 BUS PASS.
Why should someone get a benefit that they don't need? A multi-millionaire over 60 is entitled to a free bus pass. Do they really need it?
Use of the passes by the over 60s helps keeps bus routes functioning. This is essential for those who have to pay for their bus travel.
Londoners receive free travel on the Tube as well.
MartinWellbourne
says...
5:31pm Thu 2 Sep 10
legod7 wrote:New here - stop shouting. Of course benefits should be means tested - they are there for people less well off or with special needs.
Condor Man wrote: as with all 'benefits' this should be means tested so priority is given to the less well off so at least they can benefit if there are to be cutbacks.WHY SHOULD ALL BENEFITS BE MEANS TESTED. OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE NOT 60 SO YOU DON'T BENEFIT FROM AN OVER 60 BUS PASS.
.
It has nothing to do with age either.
dogbruce
says...
6:30pm Thu 2 Sep 10
bravebeth
says...
6:41pm Thu 2 Sep 10
The elderly are being penalised by everybody. Many have worked hard throughout their lives, saved hard and went without holidays. They have scrimped and saved hard all their lives. They are now terrified that they will not be able to afford their utility bills, food and the basics for a frugal life. They are always over the basic limit - yet they are still paying council tax. Why should those who spent all their money, lived a lavish lifestyle and always expect everybody else to give them everything for nothing. There are many hard working elderly people who need the free bus pass - it is their lifeline.
dogbruce
says...
7:12pm Thu 2 Sep 10
Victorian Principles
says...
7:25pm Thu 2 Sep 10
dogbruce wrote:Why shouldn't drug addicts get free travel? Why does the fact that these people have abused themselves affect their rights as a taxpayer? If they qualify, they are entitled. Simple as that. Why stop at alcoholics, eh? Why not keep the free bus pass from smokers, or people over a certain weight? What other eugenics can we apply to the free bus pass?
people take the **** out of certian bus passes .why should drug addicts get free travel ??? x alcaholics get free travel why should we pay for them when they have abused themselves .Then you get the ones who will sit on the bus all day just for something todo .Only last week saw a guy get on the bus with his free bus travel very abusive .bus companys have to carry them or they have the right to put in a claim in .You have a pass with a c on it they have to have a carer many times individals try to get on the bus without a carer ,Why are they allowed to try an abuse the system .Give free travel like years ago 9 30 till 4 pm .people on probation get free bus travel .the system stinks
TottonTweets
says...
9:06pm Thu 2 Sep 10
Condor Man
says...
10:18pm Thu 2 Sep 10
OSPREYSAINT
says...
10:37pm Thu 2 Sep 10
TottonTweets
says...
10:38pm Thu 2 Sep 10
Duncan Disorderly
says...
5:13am Fri 3 Sep 10
Lone Ranger
says...
8:14am Fri 3 Sep 10
Condor Man wrote:Thats fine then perhaps that would effect you in tax credits and child benefit.
It's time to challenge the need for universal benefits, a lot of pensioners don't need bus passes, winter fuel allowances, free TV licences or even in some cases the state pension. In the same way many working people don't need tax credits or child benefit.
.
So its simple....means test yourself then when you decide that you dont need it dont claim it...its not compulsory you know. Leave it in the Govt kitty and "give something back"
Whitters
says...
8:41am Fri 3 Sep 10
Likewise I have seen some of the abuse bus drivers have had from individuals that are clearly not over the age of 60 who have a free bus pass, who then sprawl out across seats, refuse to let anyone sit next to them and play loud music through speakers....
I take it that the DWP can now hand them out to job seekers like the New Deal Railcards giving child rate travel?
Condor Man
says...
8:52am Fri 3 Sep 10
Lone Ranger wrote:there's no such thing as a government kitty. Tax is generated from personal and commercial income. It's not there to be stock-piled like a savings account. It's there to be spent on things that are cheaper to provide collectively- like health and education. People should pay tax for the sake of it nor should they expect much back in return. We have a moral duty to pay into the system so everyone can be treated fairly. It's not fair if my tax money is benefitting a wealthy elderly person getting free bus travel.
Condor Man wrote: It's time to challenge the need for universal benefits, a lot of pensioners don't need bus passes, winter fuel allowances, free TV licences or even in some cases the state pension. In the same way many working people don't need tax credits or child benefit.Thats fine then perhaps that would effect you in tax credits and child benefit. . So its simple....means test yourself then when you decide that you dont need it dont claim it...its not compulsory you know. Leave it in the Govt kitty and "give something back"
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Condor Man says...
3:32pm Thu 2 Sep 10