Concessionary bus pass times reinstated in East Hampshire from tomorrow

It comes as schools start reopening to all pupils

Author: Carol MusgravePublished 7th Mar 2021

Concessionary travel periods for older people on Hampshire's buses returns to former start time from tomorrow (8 March).

The county council says the free travel service is reverting to its original 9:30am start as bus services prepare for schools and colleges reopening to all pupils.

It said buses would need to have capacity to get children to school at peak times.

Councillor Rob Humby, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment at Hampshire County Council said: "As schools and colleges prepare to open for greater numbers of children and young people from 8 March, we can expect travel times to start to get back to more traditional peak periods.

It seems the right time to revert to the usual operating hours for bus passes for older people, helping to ensure bus operators have the capacity to provide journeys to those who need to travel to school and college by bus."

The 9:30am start time for older people's bus passes was temporarily removed in January this year so that people could get to early morning vaccination appointments and travel at quieter times for essential shopping.

Further information on bus passes is available at: https://www.hants.gov.uk/buspasses

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