No more free early morning bus travel for West Sussex pensioners

Free early morning bus travel for West Sussex pensioners during the week will end as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.
Pic Steve RobardsPic Steve Robards
Pic Steve Robards

Free early morning bus travel for West Sussex pensioners during the week will end as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.

The county’s bus operators are starting to increase the frequency of their services again and the government has agreed new grants for these extra journeys.

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However firms still need to ensure social distancing continues on all journeys.

Just before lockdown was announced, West Sussex County Council agreed pensioners and vulnerable people could use their bus passes for pre-9.30am free travel.

This was so they could take advantage of some supermarkets’ special hour’s trading, dedicated to older and vulnerable shoppers.

Now, as the lockdown eases and bus operators need to continue to ensure safe-space travel, it has been decided that, in line with national guidance, the use of free bus passes will revert to 9.30am on weekdays from Monday June 15.

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They will still be valid all day at the weekends and disabled bus passes can still be used at any time.

A county council spokesman said: “Bus operators are facing a real challenge and need passengers’ understanding and help, please. With the easing of lockdown, we need to revert to the previous bus pass arrangements to ease the pressure on early-morning commutes and school travel and to ensure there’s enough room for safe space travelling for all.

“All bus passengers are urged to please follow Government guidance on social distancing when travelling on public transport.”

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