Age-related TV licence policy

[Richard Tarleton]

Oh! I thought it a lovely tribute to Llywelyn ap Gruffudd? No?

Opened by Brian in 1996

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm not so concerned about the TV license but I really want my free bus pass come 60!

You may be disappointed. I was able to obtain a bus pass at 60, but Frau A has to wait until she’s 66.
She has a Senior Railcard though.

[Old Grumpy]

You may be disappointed. I was able to obtain a bus pass at 60, but Frau A has to wait until she’s 66.
She has a Senior Railcard though.

I'm not sure they'll be still issuing bus passes when I'm 66. I do have a Senior Railcard, though - and very good it is too.

OG

[LMcD]

I'm not sure they'll be still issuing bus passes when I'm 66. I do have a Senior Railcard, though - and very good it is too.

OG

I recently had my bus pass renewed, and I'm in my mid-70s. Rather worryingly, it was renewed for only 5 years, as against 10 the last time...

[oddoneout]

I'm not sure they'll be still issuing bus passes when I'm 66. I do have a Senior Railcard, though - and very good it is too.

OG

My situation as well. The funding of the free bus pass has become more and more contentious, and living as I do in a large rural county I fear it's unsustainable. The Railcard is paid for so doesn't have the same problem(yet, although I suspect some change will have to be made eventually, if only to align the qualifying age and so restrict uptake), which makes me wonder whether the bus pass couldn't be made available along the same lines(using the higher qualifying age if necessary) , if the funding does stop altogether.

[Old Grumpy]

The Railcard is paid for so doesn't have the same problem(yet, although I suspect some change will have to be made eventually, if only to align the qualifying age and so restrict uptake), which makes me wonder whether the bus pass couldn't be made available along the same lines(using the higher qualifying age if necessary) , if the funding does stop altogether.

Railcards are payed for by the user, but who takes the loss of revenue on the discounted fares - is it the individual train companies? I seem to remember that initially the much trumpeted under 26-30 railcard was delayed due to the reluctance if the treasury to fund it.

OG

[oddoneout]

Railcards are payed for by the user, but who takes the loss of revenue on the discounted fares - is it the individual train companies? I seem to remember that initially the much trumpeted under 26-30 railcard was delayed due to the reluctance if the treasury to fund it.OG

Nothing to do with the realisation that there simply weren't enough trains to accommodate the increase in passenger numbers? No, I don't know if that's an issue, I suspect it's actually all to do with the perennial fear of threats to dividends.
Trouble with the bus pass is that the passenger makes no payment for the cost of travel, rather than a less than the companies would like payment on the train.

[teamsaint]

I don't think the Freedom Pass (for Londoners) is free at 60. There is, IIRC, a charge of as much as £20 for the 60+ Oyster, which is only of use within London. The Welsh one can, of course, only be used in that principality, or to travel into England (not for the return journey). Likewise, the English pass can be used to travel into Wales, but you have to pay to get out. A similar situation applies re. Scotland.

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/60-plus-oyster-photocard?intcmp=54724

Looks a pretty good deal though?

[Serial_Apologist]

I recently had my bus pass renewed, and I'm in my mid-70s. Rather worryingly, it was renewed for only 5 years, as against 10 the last time...

As with renewing the driving license, the assumption seems to be that one is not going to be around beyond the expiry year.

[oddoneout]

As with renewing the driving license, the assumption seems to be that one is not going to be around beyond the expiry year.

Or that you're not going to be in a fit state to make use of either - don't know which is worse!
With the increase in SPA that means we're getting back to the original calculation of only lasting about 4 years after official retirement - they wish!

[Beef Oven!]

Maybe the over 75s can make marmalade instead of watching telly.

[cloughie]

Maybe the over 75s can make marmalade instead of watching telly.

Don’t be ageist, beefy, a lifetime of multitasking means they can do both!

[Mal]

Is there a "free bus pass for everyone over 60" party? Digging a little I was reminded that it was Darling's last policy to push the age of freedom from 60 to 65, with Osborne backing this, and Clegg saying "it wouldn't happen", and then reneging (as usual.) So all three parties conspiring to beat up pensioners, what a nice country England is now. Having just turned 60, I had a little problem that meant I had to limp a mile to the GP practice a few times; I guess I could have paid for the bus, but I was too angry about the change in policy, and not quite crippled enough...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10657515

P.S. I did like it when I found out I wouldn't have to pay for the drugs... I was limping with a spring in my step...

[Beef Oven!]

Is there a "free bus pass for everyone over 60" party? Digging a little I was reminded that it was Darling's last policy to push the age of freedom from 60 to 65, with Osborne backing this, and Clegg saying "it wouldn't happen", and then reneging (as usual.) So all three parties conspiring to beat up pensioners, what a nice country England is now. Having just turned 60, I had a little problem that meant I had to limp a mile to the GP practice a few times; I guess I could have paid for the bus, but I was too angry about the change in policy, and not quite crippled enough...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10657515

P.S. I did like it when I found out I wouldn't have to pay for the drugs... I was limping with a spring in my step...

I thought it was 60 in London? I'm so close!!!

[vinteuil]

I thought it was 60 in London? I'm so close!!!

... yep, 60 in London -

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/60-plus-oyster-photocard

.