Life begins at 60

More than 40,000 Hull residents have received a new bus pass which allows them to travel free on local buses anywhere in England.

Fancy a day out in Scarborough, Bridlington or York? Well if you're over 60, or have certain disabilities, the bus fare is now free.
In fact, since the start of this month, you can enjoy free local bus travel anywhere in England on a special new bus pass.
It's all thanks to a new scheme which has been introduced by the Government in conjunction with local councils.
And Hull City Council has been working hard to deliver the scheme - by posting the new bus passes to all 40,300 residents who are entitled to them.
"You could, if you wanted, travel to all other areas of England, provided it was possible to make the journeys on local bus routes," says Jason Read, from the council's Passenger Transport Services team.
"For example, if you wanted to go to Leeds, you would go on the local bus route via York.
"We expect a lot of people to use the bus passes when they go on holiday to other regions or when they go to visit friends and family in other cities."

Help for those with disabilities

People with some disabilities, including those with visual or hearing impairment and those with severe learning difficulties, are also entitled to the new bus passes.
And the scheme allows greater flexibility to eligible disabled people who require a companion to travel with them – because now the companion does not have to be a named person on the pass.
"We hope that the new flexible companion feature will mean that disabled people are able to choose who travels with them, meaning fewer limitations than with the current system," says highways and open spaces group manager Graham Hall.
"We have also been working closely with local disability organisations to make them aware of the changes." Drop-in sessions to explain the scheme in more detail to those who are eligible are being held across the city.

info

For more information, or if you are eligible for a pass and haven't received one, call 300 300 or visit www.hullcc.gov.uk You can get a bus pass at a customer service centre or at central library (where proof of age and address is required).