Call to alter free travel times (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Call to alter free travel times

BUS passengers using the new free countywide bus pass scheme in Winchcombe and the nearby villages stand to get a raw deal if the borough opts to restrict use to travel after 9.30am, according to Winchcombe Town Council.

Councillors has written to Tewkesbury Borough Council (TBC) asking them to allow bus travellers to use the new pass, which comes into force for over 60s in April, before 9.30am.

Winchcombe Town Council clerk Wyn Taylor said that the current proposals will cause great problems for people in the town wanting to catch buses into Cheltenham.

"The first bus people in the parish can get on free is 11am. We have written to the council to ask if they will consider changing the time limit to 7am," said Mr Taylor.

The new bus pass scheme, which replaces the current half fare system, allows free unlimited travel for the over 60s and those with certain disabilities on any journey started within a district, not involving a change of bus.

Cotswold District Council is not putting a time limit on the use of the pass, though before 9.30am bus operators can refuse to accept passes on the grounds of limited space.

Marilyn Grubb, customer services manager for TBC, said: "We fully understand their concerns. This is something the members are going to have to look at for some of the rural areas."