Start time reintroduced for free bus pass travel in Portsmouth

Concessionary bus passes for pension-age city residents will only be accepted from 9.30am on weekdays from Monday, March 8 as students return to school and college.

The 9.30am start time for the free passes was temporarily removed in January to help older people travel to early morning vaccination appointments and travel at quieter times for essential journeys.

It is thought the return to school will start to create peak travel times again where space will be more limited on buses.

Councillor Lynne Stagg, the council's traffic and transport boss, said: 'We are returning the older bus pass operating times to starting at 9.30am as it is important we make sure there is space on buses for young people to travel to school and college in Portsmouth from Monday.

'I would encourage everyone to plan their journey to try and avoid busy times where possible during the pandemic. And when getting on and off the bus please be considerate and give people space.'

Older persons concessionary bus passes are available for people who have reached state pension age.

It entitles people to free travel on bus services throughout England from 9.30am to 11pm, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays.

The disabled person's bus pass continues to be free all day.

For more information visit Portsmouth City Council’s website at portsmouth.gov.uk and search ‘bus pass’.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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