CONCESSIONARY bus pass holders will no longer be able to use their bus pass before 9.30am from this week.
At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, many councils across the country temporarily suspended the ‘no free travel before 09.30’ rule for concessionary bus pass holders.
This enabled pass holders to travel for free before 9.30am. Now restrictions are beginning to ease, allowing more people to return to work, the free bus passes will return to being valid from 9.30am.
As more people return to work, it is likely that there will be more demand for public transport particularly during peak periods.
The Department for Transport has requested all councils reinstate the ‘no free travel before 09.30’ rule to ensure that buses have capacity for people going to work whilst meeting social distancing requirements.
Transport chiefs have also encourage all bus companies to increase their operations to 70 per cent to 80 per cent of pre-pandemic service levels.
Coun Alan Amos, cabinet member for Highways said: “As the lockdown begins to ease, the safety of people is at the forefront of our minds. This move will make sure that passengers wanting to use the buses to get to work during peak times can do so safely.”
National government advice remains to work from home if you can and avoid public transport where possible.
