Ieuan Wyn Jones, the Welsh Deputy First Minister, has issued a reassurance to pensioners and disabled passengers using the bus network that they will still be entitled to receive free travel. Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones’ comments came in the wake of the Department of Transport’s latest decision to raise the entitlement age in England to bring it into line with state pension legislation as of April 1st.

Mr Jones has stressed that the Welsh bus system will not be affected and also repeated his pledge to endeavour to extend the scheme to cover servicemen and veterans that have been seriously wounded from April 1st 2011. Jones spoke of his desire to reassure future and existing pass holders in Wales that they will remain eligible to apply for a pass via their local authority under the incumbent laws which allow such applications to be made upon reaching the age of 60. Jones said that changes to state pension laws would not impact on the pass system.

The announcement was welcomed by Margaret Everson, Bus Users UK senior officer for Wales, who claimed that the present scheme has brought huge benefit to many disabled and elderly people. She said that the feedback her office received from satisfied passengers were a testament to just how important the scheme was, and how damaging any changes could be.