The Department for Transport is consulting on the best way to administer the scheme. Many consider the current system of reimbursement through 263 lower-tier local authorities is unwieldy, leads to inconsistencies and is confusing both for users and for drivers. Assuming the current system is maintained, Bus Users UK would prefer to see the administration of the scheme through county councils, unitary authorities and PTEs, in alignment with the current local transport authorities.

However, says Bus Users UK in its response, the complexities and inconsistencies would be eliminated at a stroke if passes were valid without time restrictions, and make the whole scheme would be much simpler to administer.

They accept there may need to be some restriction on workers aged 60-65 being who would be able to get a free ride to work, but they consider overall there would be little if any extra cost for the scheme. Most people would choose to travel outside the peak hour, if buses are busy then: indeed in some locations buses are now busier after 09.30 than they are in the ‘traditional’ peak hour.

Moreover capacity problems are caused by requiring most pass holders to wait until 09.30 to travel, so actually removing the time restrictions could reduce the need for peak capacity to accommodate passholders all setting off at the same time.

The organisation has also asked the Government to ring fence all the money made available for concessionary pass reimbursement to ensure that bus companies are not left out of pocket by the scheme.

‘The scheme in England has been far too complicated, compared with the much simpler, and arguably more successful, schemes in Wales and Scotland’, said Bus Users UK chairman Gavin Booth. ‘We hope the Government will take this opportunity to deliver a scheme that is simple, easy to understand and equitable, all qualities which are missing from the current scheme.’