Free early morning bus travel for older people in Portsmouth scrapped during week

Travel for holders of the older person's bus pass in the city is to end on weekdays as some students, retail workers and keyworkers - including NHS staff, use public transport from June 15.

Portsmouth City Council temporarily granted holders of the concessionary bus passes free all day travel, seven days a week, to allow older people to access supermarkets earlier in the day as of March 20.

But now the free travel option for older person's pass holders will starting from 9.30am only, between Monday and Friday.

Councillor Lynne Stagg, the council's traffic and transport boss, said: 'I'm pleased that we've been able to offer our concessionary pass holders temporary free all-day travel during lockdown.

'As social distancing measures continue, buses are running at a fraction of their previous capacity so it's crucial that we help our transport partners in any way we can.

'By revoking temporary free early morning travel for older people on weekdays we can enable the students, retail workers and keyworkers, including NHS workers, who are returning, better access to public transport before 9.30am, when they need it most.'

It comes as Firstbus and Stagecoach have introduced a mobile app that identifies when buses are full so people can plan their journeys as well as a more frequent service in line with social distancing guidelines.

Holders of the older person's bus pass will still be able to travel for free between 9.30am and 11pm from Monday to Friday and all day on weekends and on public holidays.

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