SIR - In reply to C Penzer (Letters, Wednesday, December 21), his confusion is due to the previous correspondence on bus passes being incorrect.

There will be obligatory government free bus passes for pensioners and the disabled from April, 2006. However, there are concerns that the total costs of some £500,000 for Worcester City may not be covered by government grants, and Worcester City Council will have to pick up the shortfall.

Regarding cross-county travel, I understand that discussions are still taking place on a Worcestershire County Council-sponsored scheme for travel.

The £2m government grant for Worcestershire is just that - a government grant, and while warmly welcomed, is not as previously claimed solely the result of the efforts of the outgoing chairman and vice-chairman of Worcestershire Partnership of Older People's forums.

BRIAN HUNT,

Former Chairman Worcester City Forum for Older People.