The Government 'invented' the scheme yet only pay 'towards' it .. the shortfall has to come from the local Councils, already hard pressed at keeping their council tax within the 5% maximum increase level ! The full amount of funding the scheme should most definitely come from the Government.

John, Chelmsford, Essex

These bus passes should be means tested - given out to those pensioners who don't have much money, and don't have a car.

What's really stupid is that we're going to end up with NOWHERE TO GO as all public facilities, libraries and pools etc, are closed.

Next we'll be wondering why we have even more teenagers on the prowl because they've nothing better to do

Then we'll be wondering why everybody is becoming obese - because for all the advice for people to take up sporting activities, there will be nowhere to do these either.

Kristine, Preston, Lancs

Yet another way that the older generation benefit at the expense of younger working people. I am 25, earn 15,000 per year and struggle to pay my soaring heating and council tax. I pay into a pension but am not expecting to see any of it by the time I am 65. Why should pensioners get free bus travel? If they can afford a car then they are much better off than I am, so why should their travel costs be funded? Some have been housewives all their lives and have never worked, benefiting from their husbands' salaries and pensions. I work hard every day and cannot afford not to. Now valuable public services like libraries and parks are being even further squeezed so they can have a jolly day out. Communal services like these are much more important than funding individuals' travel costs. I wish that I could get out of the city and into the country like 'Disgruntled Dorothy', but I cannot afford it and certainly cannot afford the car which she also owns. I don't know why she is 'disgruntled'

A Young Worker, London,

To Stuart from Halifax - No bus company is 'rubbing their hands with glee' at the impending National free pass scheme. A large proportion of bus services rely on OAPs as their main passenger numbers and the reduction in rvenue is having a devastating affect on income. People assume there are huge profit margins in commercial bus operation (the only support from gov is a rebate in fuel tax & the payments for free fares).
I liked the comment from the Pompey CC leader about companies maximising profits given that PCC is part of the Hants CC scheme that is one of the worst paying in the country (the council pays at most 38% of the average adult fare). In Devon the average payment per passenger is approx 65p (less than most min fares). Even with a full bus that would mean the operator lost money on many rural & interurban services. It costs over £30/hr to keep a bus on the road (wages, insurance, fuel etc.) Operators would be happy receiving 60-70% of adult fare to cover our costs

Andrew, Luton,

I've made my detailed comments on your leading article on this topic. But briefly, the government have decreed the scheme, so they should supply the free passes. They should also reimburse bus companies who can prove the scheme has forced them to run extra buses.

Barry, Wallington, UK

Well I bet First Bus, Arriva and Stagecoach are rubbing their hands with glee at the thought of this. Why? Look around you and you will see that a very high proportion of local services are operated by these three companies - with larger local monopolies (such as Transdev in Yorkshire) filling in the rest.

Not content with ripping ordinary passengers off with extortionately huge fares and relatively poor service, they are now set for an extra bonanza at the expense of every Council Tax payer. It's a good scheme, but the bus operators should be obliged to carry OAPs for free as part of the public service associated with their franchises - or whatever it is that gives them the right to operate bus services generally.

Stuart Dollin, Halifax, West Yorkshire

We have free bus travel for the over 60s in Scotland.
It is surprising that this was not mentioned in the Politics Show on BBC.
I thoroughly enjoy being able to take a bus anywhere in Scotland,it gets me out of my car and into the country.
Best scheme ever!
So English oldies , enjoy!!

Disgruntled Dorothy, Glasgow, Scotland

It's great to see the elderly getting something back from their local authority, most of whose spending plans are geared towards children and minority groups.

Paul, Rochester, UK

All of which, show the financial as well as practical and moral folly of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the numerous IT projects and other ill-thought out wheezes that has cost this country badly needed billions.

Peter K Day, Doncaster, UK/ Yorkshire

Please note that most over 60s also pay council tax even after only receiving 2%, 3% and 4% on their small state pension of around nearly £5,000; whereas similar % increases on someone who is working full time or have two wages per household generate higher increases in take home pay. In addition most of the over 60s do not require or participate in education yet they still get charged for it in their council tax.

George, Derby, UK