Bus passes puzzler

And a council chief this week admitted the long-awaited revised system is "confusing," prompting the setting up of special guidance sessions to help pensioner's chose which bus pass is their best option.

Sue Anson, for Age Concern, confirmed their Bromsgrove office in Windsor Street had been swamped with calls from pensioners unsure about which pass to chose.

"It is extremely complicated. People seem to understand where they can travel within the district but outside of that it is very confusing," she said

An elderly Catshill couple, who use their bus passes regularly were very confused by the revised system.

"Everyone we have spoken to seems very bewildered. It is so complicated," said the 71-year old woman.

The council has set-up sessions at the Dolphin Centre in School Drive and the Council House in Burcot Lane where residents can receive guidance before registering for their bus passes.

The two options are:

l Option A - bus pass entitles the holder to free travel in the district of Bromsgrove.

l Option B - bus pass entitles the holder to free transport in their parish.

It has been predominantly set up to serve the residents of Wythall and Hagley.

Travel outside in the district is subject to a £1 reduction and travel to Redditch and Birmingham is reduced by 50 per cent.

There has also been an option arranged for motorists offering a car-parking pass for £30 per year.

However, many pensioners still remain baffled.

"So far we do not know where the boundaries are. Not only will this be confusing for us, it will be confusing for the bus drivers," said the Catshill woman.

The district council's head of finance, Andrew Fisher, said: "We admit the new scheme is a bit complicated but we also believe it is extremely generous.

"And if people find they have registered for the wrong pass we will be more than happy to change it."

Pensioners will receive notification of the times to attend one of the guidance sessions.