"Cross-border" fiasco on the buses

04/07/2008

As a 'Free Welsh Bus Pass' holder I recently watched with interest what I can only describe as a fiasco on a recent trip from Chepstow to Newport. It was a discussion between a bus driver and a nice 'little old lady' who was really sweet - and I mean that in the nicest possible way.

She had travelled from Lydney in England and was on her way to Newport in South Wales to buy a hat for a wedding. When she got on the bus in Chepstow the bus driver advised her that he could not accept her 'English bus pass' and she would have to buy a 'Rover Ticket' - the cheapest ticket available to continue her journey - as the company had received no instructions regarding 'cross border travel'.

Considering that MPs brought in the legislation to allow Senior Citizens free bus passes for travel in the UK and the people of Wales already had there passes, could we please start a campaign to sort out 'cross border travel' as this has become something of a joke.

It made my blood boil when I witnessed the fiasco with the lady and the driver. And the problem is compounded by the significant increase in fuel prices, which has further reduced Senior Citizens' ability to use a car when 'cross border shopping'.

Failure to resolve this situation could seriously undermine this Government's chances of being re-elected next time.

I Preston