Could someone explain to me why over 60s in South Yorks

Should have better benefits on travel than those in other parts of the country?

 

They shouldn't. But instead of dragging everyone down to the lowest level, shouldn't we be trying to raise everyone's position to the highest? I believe free/cheaper travel for pensioners is a good thing. Instead of taking away that benefit from the pensioners in South Yorkshire, we should be giving it to the rest of the country. Make things fair by giving, not by taking away.

 

Because I'll get it!

 

I'm all for that but only if it was funded by removing free travel for employed over 60s and removing free fuel for employed over 60s. In fact Id love to know the cost to the british economy of freebies and discounts to employed people based purely on them being over a certain age. I reckon it would be more than enough to improve the quality of life for those who actually need it.

Edit: id also be interested in what it would do for Barnsley town centre if free travel only applied within your own town. Ie allowing pensioners to go shopping in Barnsley but not letting them go and spend there money in Sheffield instead. Would we gain or lose I wonder?

 

Sometimes you really do come across as a moaning tool !!!

 

2 years and I will qualify for free bus travel to anywhere in Scotland.

Turning 60 is not something to look forward to but at least I'll be able to get about free of charge.
That and free prescription charges. What is there not to like about living in Scotland?
And lets not forget getting our freedom come 18/9/14.

All looking good here.

 

Whys that? Because I think an unemployed pensioner should be given more to improve their quality of life rather than giving that money to a working person on 50k a year?

 

So every person working over the age of 60 is earning 50K ???
I think you will find that if everybody paid the tax they are supposed to pay, no-one would have to struggle, but just keep on blaming the over 60`s its easier !!!

 

I think the major metropolitan areas offer this - so basically around 2/3rds of the actual population get the free travel.

There are several reasons why this should not really not be an issue:

1. Pensioners getting out of the house and doing a bit of excercise - just walking down to the bus stop / train station keeps them healthy and therefore the burgeoning and crippling NHS bill which is bringing this country down will be reduced by pensioners staying active.

2. After 9:30 the buses and trains are empty anyway - putting people on them for free will actually raise revenue. i.e. My Dad would rather use his car. Give him a free rail card and he'll catch the train. As there's only one person to pay for - my son will pay the fare - rather than my Mum Dad and two kids all going in the car and no rail revenue being generated. (edit - youngest son too young to pay)

3. Having people wandering around shops and museums, etc increases footfall and improves general economic activity. Markets in town centres make more revenue - and shops are busy all week round. Rather than at weekends when their sons and daughters take them to the supermarket - and the old fekcers clog up the ailses talking to their mates about who else has died and isn't prince george coming along nicely and other such **** that has no place in a supermarket at a weekend.


Overall all it makes sense. It just appears that the public sector around here arn't clever enough to work out how to make it work.

 

Local area authority subsidising.

 

When did I blame anyone? And no I never said all over 60s are on 50k.

Personally Id scrap child benefits for everyone above a certain wage. Working people of ALL ages would be dealt with equally meaning an 18 year old would be entitled to the same minimum wage as a 40 year old, a 25 year old with 5 years service would get the sane redundancy as a 50 year old who started on the same day. 61 one year olds who work wouldnt get any more benefits than 59 year olds doing an identical job with identical salaries, any money leaving the country would he taxed meaning no investing oveesees to avoid tax. Any money earned in this country would be taxable regardless of where the earner pretends to live and any person knowingly paying cash in hand to help a tradesman fiddle the books would be subject to a large fine even if it was just a 30 quid call out for an electrician.

All the monwy saved would ho to helping those in need. Free travel for RETIRED pensioners, more help for their fuel, higher pensions and money spent on helping to stop pensioners being lonely.

 

I'm all in favour of the free travel and looking after the pensioners but I think they've have been lucky to escape the cuts during these times of austerity - especially as pensioners account for over 70% of the welfare budget.

 

I'll go even more radical. Public transport is a service and not a way for multinationals and city fat cats to make money. All public transport should be available at cost to anyone and/or subsidised to the cheapest possible level.

 

Get you, supporting Socialism

 

I agree. I also think that there are a lot of financially hard pressed young working families who are desperate for a bit of help. Just because you work doesn't mean you have a lot of disposable income. Balancing the books is a constant battle for a lot of people of working age.

 

It's a welfare budget they have been contributing to for most of their lives.

 

I'm with you. Taking public transport out of local authority hands was one of the more damaging things that Thatcher did. The fact that the Labour Party did nothing to reverse this is one of the many reasons they'll never be receiving my vote.

 

Anyway, this'll teach 'em!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Svv9YcyZ6Os

 

We've all been contributing to it - increasingly more and more.

 

Yes but it is still a welfare bydget to help the mist needy. It isnt a savings account theyve been putting money into. Ive paid into the nhs for a fair few years but i'm happy for an 18 year old whos paid practically niw to take more out than me if he needs it.