I am now nearly six months into getting mine and love it to bits.
The best bit is getting on a double decker bus, going upstairs and looking down at peoples houses and gardens (why on earth do people put out their very personal pieces of underwear on a washing line?) as well as seeing the lovely landscapes which I would miss in a car. Spotting allotment sites from time to time and realising just how small some of these plots are or even noticing how horribly untidy or neglected they are.
Draw backs? The radio players, the personal audios which spill out sounds which convince me the listener will be deaf in no time. Above all it is noisy bleeps from mobile phones. Years ago, before they stopped it, people would go upstairs for a quiet smoke. Now, they seem to get out their phones and make a call. Text, or fiddle with a game or some such.
Some of the half sided conversations are amusing to listen to, to say the least. I have been driven to ask a fellow passenger if their phone is equipped with a silent button to use whilst they text. (I always smile and enquire, politely, never complain). An apology has always been the response so far.
I can't use the bloody things with all that pressing several times for a letter. I forget what I wanted to say after two words. I would rather SPEAK. I put £15 of credit on mine two years ago and still have £9.70 left on it. It must cost me more on re-charging than it does on calls. Himself calls me most often with those magic words, 'where are you?'. But I am sure it could be handy in an emergency.
As one of nature's bargain shoppers, I go from town to town searching out for the best places to buy. Thankfully I have a great memory for prices and can compare very quickly. One big problem I now have is metric and imperial. When metric made imperial illegal, I thought that it was wrong.
We should have a choice with buying and it was up to all of us to choose but I rather think that some retailers are using that revised rule to display one price only and that can be confusing. I also note that manufacturers are selling packaged goods in ridiculous measures for example 142 grammes. The same thing with the size of the item. Branded chocolate bars seem to come in a variety of sizes and prices, same with biscuit packs. Washing up liquid is another, top named brands are varying the size of their containers. I know there are others but those seem to be the most obvious.
Probably most people when they want something just go and buy it . No I am not actually financially challanged, just tight.
Another thing I am getting to be expert at is finding free lavatories. A lot of seaside resorts seem to think that they have a right to charge for the use of such facilities. Supermarkets and multi story car parks often have them for free as do pubs and anywhere which has a cafe/restaurant facility. So it is first search when landing somewhere new.
I know I said I was tight and I am but I can't go and I can not go anywhere without buying something but I have met a lot of travellers who go for a ride and never get off the bus, they tell me they take a packed lunch and eat it on the bus.
Buses are very good where I live and some routes there are buses every 10 minutes, over very long distances but these travellers go out and come back on the same bus. Scared to get off. Mind you they are very good with information about routes to try out.
Bus stations too have an office with leaflets giving all sorts of information about where to go and what to do. Even the most remote place seems to have a tourist information pack.
Eating out is another area for investigation and there are Weatherspoon's pubs and Yates in this area where there are some remarkably good deals for meals. They make a profit on the drink I believe. So I just go for the meal.
Markets usually have a place where the traders get their food and drink and whilst they are not what any one could describe as lavish with their decor, they do a decent cup of tea and are clean.
At coastal resorts the amusement arcades are keen to get punters so offer a cheap but low priced brew if you don't mind a plastic cup.
Now when I have covered the different places and found out where all these eateries drinkeries and lavatories are I intend to go for the culture and visit any museums and events which are also free or cheap.
The great thing about being old and not having to work is that there is time. My parents always said that they did not know how they ever found time to work after they retired and I understand now what they meant.
Sadly, they passed away just four years before I got to 60, both suddenly withing a few weeks of each other. Possibly there was a kindness in that but I was looking forward to going into one of those pubs where they had a sign saying. 'Free drinks for OAP's if accompanied by both parents.'
They have changed the rules now and my kids will have to wait until they are 68 to get their pensions and my grand children wont get theirs until they are the same age as my husband was when he left school 100 years before.
No doubt the rules will change again for them and sadly, I do not think they will enjoy their free bus pass (should it exist then) as much as I love mine.
I must admit to not using mine at home much but when I go on holiday in my campervan it is invaluabe, I can leave the 'van behind & explore & see things I never would if I was driving. I have also met so many other seniors this way & last year a few of us who had never met until waiting at the bus stop, spent the entire day together riding the buses.
Good for you Poppy. I felt sorry for a Welsh man who was visiting his brother in England. He told me that the village where they live has a bus every two hours. So his bus pass is as good as useless to him.
He can not use his bus pass in England . We are supposed to be one country united are'n't we?
What happened to the UK?
How do you find out the info on getting around. a colleague of mine told me you could get from birmingham to Oxford and almost return in a day. Can't wait to retire, was going to this year but realised two of us couldn't live on £100 per week even with MY lottie.
Quote from: lottie lou on April 30, 2010, 22:06:29
How do you find out the info on getting around.
In theory http://www.traveline.org.uk should have the information you need about getting around but you might be better off looking at the timetables on your local bus companys website I know the details traveline has for my area are several years out of date & include numerous sevices which either no longer run at all or run at different times.
Quote from: PurpleHeather on April 30, 2010, 21:59:32
I felt sorry for a Welsh man who was visiting his brother in England. He told me that the village where they live has a bus every two hours. So his bus pass is as good as useless to him.
He can not use his bus pass in England . We are supposed to be one country united are'n't we?
What happened to the UK?
I have had a bus pass for about 5 years (it was issued 40 years early in my case) it's valid in Wales on virtually all buses & some trains, in theory it will be valid on all trains within Wales in a few years time. It can't be used in England or Scotland & English/Scottish passes can't be used here, it's been a long time since the United Kingdom was actually united.
I live in a village where the buses only run every 2 hours or so, when I need to go to Aberystwth (eg: to go to a Supermarket) it is a 7 hour round trip involving 2 buses each way (3 if I wan't to go to morrisons) & lots of waiting around even though it is only 30 miles away, when I go to the allotment the first bus into town isn't until 10:04 & my last bus home leaves at 16:47 if I miss it I'm left with a 12 mile walk or £18 taxi journey but when you are reliant on public transport you soon learn to live with it.
It's frustrating when people simply decide the bus services are crap & don't bother using them because it means their is no incentive for the council to improve them. When it is demonstrated there is a demand for a bus service the council give in & actually provide it.
If the rumours overheard today in a shop by a council person the free bus pass days are numbered if Cameron gets in next week.
Can this be true?.
Labour are hinting at it Tories are denying it but there are all sorts of claims made in the run up to an election. Whichever party wins how likely are they to actually stick to any of the promises they made anyway? Wether true or not it could all change very suddenly.
http://blog.thestraightchoice.org/2010/04/what-we-know-about-those-bus-pass-leaflets/
Jolly well hope not!! We go to and from Stanstead airport with ours. Saves us a fortune in parking fees.
Well, I'm not an OAP but have a disabled free pass and I must say that it's very important to us, especially as I'm a (sort of) full time mum. Having said that, the public transport in Leeds and West Yorkshire as a whole is generally very good and it's fairly easy to plan journeys, although speed isn't always of the essence. My experience is that car owners have a default attitude that public transport is by definition inadequate and personally challenging, although I find that it's not the buses which clog up the roads and make us late for school at the slightest change in the weather! :)
My disabled pass also entitles me to a priority Leeds card (one of those local council things) which gives me free entry and enhanced discounts to various council-run museums and other recreational places.
It took a long time for patient organisations to bring in "national" disabled/OAP bus passes - it would be such a shame if they were removed, but an easy hit I guess.
Quote from: SueK on May 01, 2010, 06:47:36My experience is that car owners have a default attitude that public transport is by definition inadequate and personally challenging, although I find that it's not the buses which clog up the roads and make us late for school at the slightest change in the weather! :)
Firstly, I don't have a free bus pass, I'm just trying to avoid packing boxes ;D
Do 12 miles to work every day straight across leeds. The difference during school holidays is phenomenal. Have made a vow that when the sprog's at school we are NOT going by car! Don't care how far we have to walk, or how hard it's raining. My mum never drove me to school and it never did me any harm.
I would love to see more money put into public transport, especially if it came off all the money they get off my road tax and fuel bills. Rather trams/trains/buses than more roads. The bus transport in Leeds is great, we have one every 10 minutes or so into town and don't realise how spoiled we are. However, it is way too expensive. Had to go to the hospital for baby scan last week & insisted on taking the bus. Two of us return was £6.40. OH was not impressed, but had to argue that it was worth it as we weren't spending time hunting for a rare parking space and worrying about missing appointment/overrunning on car parking etc. I would not be able to justify that on a normal weekend shopping trip, especially as OH works at uni and therefore we get free parking.
Can remember when I first came up to Leeds it was dirt cheap and I took the bus everywhere, despite having a car. Just seems to have got more and more expensive lately. If buses were cheaper I'd probably use em more.
I only use the bus if it is the only way I can get somewhere, since the old duffers got their passes the buses really stink to much of lavender nowadays. ;) I have heard a rumour that if it could be if you want a bus pass you will have to hand in your driving licence. At least that will clear the road of stupid old nissan micra drivers.
We have a glut of them over here as for some reason the sad old duffers that have come here every year man and boy on their holidays, seem to think it is a good place to retire. So I get Micra'd at least 5 time a day. >:(
I have used mine about 3 times since I got it 4 years ago.
only use mine if I want to go to Bristol or Bath. hate driving in city's!
purple heather I do admire you ,you are brave I'm always afraid of getting stranded
ace lovemicta's going to get one next year, I shall be a fullt paid up old duffer then ;D
marg
I use mine occasionally to go to Salisbury and back, but only when I haven't got a lot of heavy shopping to do. Some friends of mine go on the bus from Salisbury to Weymouth. They go upstairs and have said that the views are magnificent. I will probably join them one day.
We also use it on the Park and Ride if we go to Bath for the day as it is so difficult to park there.
The only down side to the bus passes is that they can be unfair to regular travellers. My son, who works various daytime shifts, uses the bus to go to work and on market days the bus can be full. He often has to stand for the whole journey and he suffers from a bad back.
morning All,
Story of my life. The elections are on the 6 and I'm 60 a few days later. Sods law will be who ever gets in will cancell the bus passes. And I was so looking forward to meeting my friends in town for lunch. Keeping everything crossed that who ever wins, will leave the passes alone. Must remember to find out where in Swindon I apply for them. Was hoping what I saved on the fare would pay for my lunch ;D At least what I save on the price of my plots this year will pay for next years seeds.
Have cut my hours down at work to ease myself in to retirement. OH still got 4 yrs to go before he can stop. So am looking at other ways to save the pennies with the pensioners discounts available.
Have a good bank holiday, regards Taurus
I love my free bus pass, which I use on the train and tube and can go to Heathrow for free and Victoria and then cheaper part way on the normal train to Gatwick. I gave up my car when I was 60 and retired and was bought a bicycle (which I asked for) for my birthday. Never miss the car, amazing what I can get in my panniers. OH has a van but I prefer to go shopping without him as he is into to lists, and I like to take my time. If a bus comes along I get on it or else walk into Enfield. I used 4 buses yesterday, bank then tennis then shopping as I was in a hurry. Brilliant, hope they keep it.
Quote from: taurus on May 01, 2010, 11:37:37
Must remember to find out where in Swindon I apply for them.
Details of how to apply online or in person & limitations of the pass can be found here.
http://www.swindon.gov.uk/roadstransport/concessionarytravel.htm
Thanks for the link Baccy man. See what I mean birthday in May can't get my bus pass till July. Story of my life.
The free bus passes were introduced for a reason. After several local experiments, it was revealed that if elderly people got out and about, they were less likely to need expensive long term care. A bit of exercise, just walking to a bus stop is exercise when you get to a certain age.
Social intercourse. That is so true, I always have a chat at the bus stop waiting, on the bus travelling and when I walk around where ever it is I end up, there is always some one who will speak to me. Even sitting on a bench in town for a break.
No, I do not always start the conversation either, so it is not a case of me being foreward. Other people of all ages, creeds and wearing those funny things to cover their faces will happily chat on a bus.
School kids love a bit of a banter and when they get off the bus and wave, bye, with a smile, it sort of, well, means that they don't think that we are all MOGs.
The second factor is that the buses, when used, local services are happy to provide a more regular service. In turn this encourages people to leave the car at home. The bus fare can be less expensive than parking.
For elderly/disabled people who live in remote areas, parking up the car near to a regular service, or using the park and ride for free, reduces the need for car parking in towns and cities.
It would be an easy thing to do away with, something for nothing. But consider this. It can prevent loneliness. That means it prevents depression which brings on a multitude of other things, for which the medical treatment costs are much higher.
When we had that cold spell, I dare not go out for several days. Stir crazy I felt. Yet I am perfectly fit and healthy. I dare not imagine if I were alone and frail how that would effect me over the weeks or months.
Having spoken to a lot of others who are less able, I know it means the world to them to be able to, just get out and about.
The area in which I live I am not expert in the travel of, but I do know that bus stations and tourist information offices do have loads of leaflets about bus routes and time tables which are free. The information on line is, shall we say a bit iffy, but these places do have informed staff and the correctly phrased question, asked when they are not busy often offers an abundance of information.
Granted there is resentment in some offices where the staff think that it is wrong to give any one something for nothing. In others, they can not wait to give you examples of places to go and see.
Marge seems to think that I am brave. The thing is, I always make sure that I am either there to catch the bus before the last one or I make certain that there is an alternative route home. In fact, if push comes to shove I have my ATM card so I could go B & B overnight or get a train. Not likely but it is there.
Frankly I have been round parts of Asia on iffy public transport, so England is pretty straightforward. I admit that I have been in places (abroad) where negotiating around has been fairly knicker staining. Some of those probably did stretch the line between stupidity and bravery. But thrilling too.
Go for it........The police have to put you up for the night if you are in danger was something I was always told. Baccy man.........Is it still true?
Quote from: PurpleHeather on May 02, 2010, 21:34:32........The police have to put you up for the night if you are in danger was something I was always told. Baccy man.........Is it still true?
Not something I have ever heard of, they do have policies to provide assistance to stranded persons either by allowing you to phone friends or relatives or arranging transport to get you home. Usually this is at your own expense & in most cases any costs incurred have to be payed in advance by a friend or family member at a police station local to them.
An example is given in section 24 of the policy on E01 allowances here:
http://www.kent.police.uk/About%20Kent%20Police/policies/e/e01.html
Another example is given here:
http://www.hampshire.police.uk/NR/rdonlyres/13B4841C-7CF7-46DA-869D-CE543CEB9F13/0/11302.pdf
Quote from: shirlton on May 01, 2010, 09:04:12
I have used mine about 3 times since I got it 4 years ago.
I think I saw you at the bus stop
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg300/toobyriles/h256.jpg?t=1272837470)
My wife and I have occasionally used our bus passes since we had the original local ones which gave a 50% reduced fare. We don't use them excessively (like some people I have heard of, who use them for day trips whenever possible). I use mine for occasional local rides, visits to my stepdaughter and family (about 100 miles each way, once or twice a year) and during the University Exams. Period when I work for the University. I used to use my car but the University have tightened up on parking and I cannot now use the car to attend. For early morning sessions I have to pay a single fare going and return on the pass (which is fair enough).
I would prefer going back to half fare rather than losing the pass altogether. If it went back to half fare it would save more than half the present cost to local authorities as many of the "Day Trippers" would not use it so much.
We have had our bus passes for the last two years and very useful they are too, we use them all the time when we are away with the caravan like last weekend at Statford, also to go into town when I'm having a couple of beers, :)
There are a lot of people who refuse to use their free bus passes or even get one. I live midway between two major hospitals where the local buses drop off and pick up passengers right in front of the entrance.
Often as the bus pulls in the carpark is full . The car driver pays for parking there even though for some it means a long walk to and from where they have had to park. The buses all have a drop down facility so that the platform is flush with the kerb. A place inside the bus for wheelchairs and prams. I do not know the statistics of the age of all out patients and visitors but from observation I would suggest that they seems to be a larger proportion of senior citizens. Often entitled to an ambulance or free car ride for the journey. DHSS claimants can reclaim bus fares when they attend a hospital . A lot of the elderly would be entitled to reclaim bus fares if they did not have their passes because they get means tested benefits as well as their pensions.
The criteria for a bus (rather than a coach) is that there are 15 miles or less between stops, so even a lot of express buses can be used too.
In Spain, the elderly get a free weeks holiday during the winter, to keep the hotels going whilst the tourists are not there. The government subsidises hotels to keep the industry going. Otherwise the hotel staff are kept on half pay over winter.
Subsidising industries and jobs is better instead of having people unemployed and since the free bus passes have come in to being the frequency of buses has increased. There would still be subsidies for bus companies, so that a service existed in a lot of areas and by doing it by giving the passes to the elderly and disabled means that the companies still get a subsidy and people get a ride. The seats would still be there on subsidised bus routes whether there were bums on them or not.