Concessionary bus passes – weekday 9.30am start time re-introduced

WILTSHIRE Council report they will be reintroducing the normal time restrictions for using concessionary bus passes from 1st September 2020.

The council reports, “From that date, concessionary bus pass holders can only use their bus passes from 9.30am on weekdays, but can continue to use them at any time at weekends. Bus companies have been advised of the changes. This means Wiltshire falls into line with the rest of the local authorities in the country in reintroducing allotted times for the scheme.”

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for transport said, “From the 1st  September, the council is re-introducing the 9.30am scheme start time on weekdays, in order to ensure there is enough capacity on the network at peak times for the return of school and college students.

“Bus operators have been notified of this change, and bus passes will not be accepted on ticket machines before 9.30am, unless travelling on an infrequent exempted route.

“In March we took the decision to relax our concessionary fare scheme times so that concessionary bus pass holders were able to make essential journeys to shops and health appointments, before 9.30hrs during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As schools go back and many people return to work, this is a good time to reintroduce the time restriction so transport and social distancing can be managed effectively.”