Poll shows bus passes vital for a better life

Nine out of ten older people say their lives would be worse without a bus pass, according to new poll.

New polling by Age Scotland's sister charity Age UK, has revealed that 93 per cent of older people in England who own a concessionary bus pass say losing it would adversely affect their life.

The survey, carried out on behalf of the charity by research agency TNS[i], also found that 83 per cent of older people on lower incomes [ii] had a concessionary pass.

The figures are evidence of the vital role of concessionary bus passes and reliable bus services in enabling older people to remain independent and lead fulfilling lives as well as helping to prevent isolation and loneliness.

Age Scotland believes that comparable findings would emerge from any similar poll conducted in Scotland and that they would reinforce the argument put forward by the Charity in its ‘Still Waiting' campaign, namely that older people in both rural and urban areas risk being stranded and isolated at home because of bus service cuts and because the Concessionary Travel Scheme (CTS) bus pass does not apply to a considerable number of community-based transport initiatives.

Many local authorities have cut subsidies to bus companies as budgetary restrictions make it more difficult to balance the books. Without local government money, some bus routes become commercially unviable and so are scaled back or withdrawn.

Brian Sloan, Chief Executive of Age Scotland said: "The fact is that regular and reliable bus services are a lifeline for older people, many of whom would otherwise find themselves stranded at home, isolated and lonely.

"Older people must be able to lead independent and fulfilling lives which means being able to get to their local shops, doctors, dentists and hospital appointments as well as visit friends and family."

"The bus pass, is, we believe, invaluable in keeping older people engaged in their communities but for the scheme to work, there need to be buses for older people to travel on. In too many parts of Scotland this is not the case, and we are calling on the Scottish Government to include community transport operators in the CTS."