Reassurance over bus passes for Free Park and Ride

OXFORDSHIRE RESIDENTS with bus passes are being reassured that their free local travel will continue as normal.

Recent media coverage has suggested bus pass holders will no longer be able to travel on park and ride services free of charge. This is not the case in South Oxfordshire, where bus pass holders can still travel free on local journeys, including Thornhill park and ride.

The media coverage came in the light of an announcement from the Department of Transport, changing some of the rules covering which journeys would be eligible for free travel. This mainly covered park and ride schemes. However, although there may be changes in other areas of the country, South Oxfordshire is not affected.

Council leader, Ann Ducker, said: “Although nationally many areas are looking at introducing restrictions on the routes people can travel as part of the bus pass scheme, I am glad to be able to reassure our residents that will not be the case in South Oxfordshire, and in particular, they can still take advantage of free park and ride from Thornhill.

“We appreciate that the bus pass scheme offers many people a vital lifeline and are committed to supporting these bus users by providing free travel for the over 60s and disabled.”