Calls for free bus travel for over-60s

MINISTERS have been urged to end an “unacceptable” disparity forcing people in the North East to wait six years longer for access to free bus travel than those in London.

- DANIEL HOLLAND

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free bus passes for anyone who reaches the state pension age, which is currently 66.

But in London a 60+ Oystercard offers free off-peak travel on bus and Tube services to all overs-60s who live in the capital, while Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland’s concessionary offers also kick in at age 60. City leaders in Newcastle have now urged the Government to step in to end the discrepancy.

Newcastle City Council passed a motion on Wednesday night calling on transport secretary Heidi Alexander to extend the ENCTS to all people over 60 across England.