Is It Too Early?

Is it too early?

You may well be familiar with this phrase, used when Senior Citizen pass holders attempt to board a bus around 09.30. In this area (Merdeyside), passes are not valid between 06:31 and 09:30.Some areas still have evening restrictions as well. 

Recently the Greater Manchester region removed the pre-09:30 ban leading to speculation that the Liverpool City Region may follow suit.

In any debate on this subject, it’s important to look at why the restriction exists in the first place. It was brought in to keep pass holders off public transport during peak commuting hours to aid those trying to get to work. 

In recent years commuting habits have changed. The growth of flexible and alternative working patterns, the increase in home, and hybrid, working and of course the rise in car ownership have all somewhat eased the pressure on public transport.

To add to the debate we have the issue of retired people needing to use transport pre-09:30. The list is not exhaustive but it includes persons needing to travel to provide childcare for grandchildren. those with early medical appointments, and those still in employment but earning lower salaries than in their previous working years. So, is there a valid case for ending the restriction?

The position of Liverpool city region is that their focus is on keeping fares low, that our passes cover bus, rail and ferry and are available from age 60. They believe this is already more generous than in other areas. 

By way of comparison, passes are only available in Greater Manchester from State Pension age and while their passes cover bus and mainline rail there is a small annual fee to enable the “free” use of Metrolink trams. 

We remain one of the few areas in England to have passes at aged 60.

So. what do you think? Should there be a change in Liverpool City Region or are you happy with the way it is now? Click here to let us know.