Mayor's plan to extend free bus pass scheme

Pensioners would be able to travel anywhere in East Yorkshire, at any time, using their free bus passes under plans proposed by the local mayor.

Currently, eligible older people can use their concessionary pass any time of the day in Hull.

However, in the East Riding passes cannot be used until 09:30.

Luke Campbell, the mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, said: "I want to make sure that every elderly person who has the bus pass in the East Riding has the same opportunities as people in Hull."

On Friday, Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) will decide whether to redress the imbalance between the two council areas.

Under the terms of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, pensioners and eligible disabled people must be able to travel for free between 09:30 and 23:00 on weekdays and all day at weekends and on bank holidays.

Some councils, such as Hull, funded additional hours.

In March, HEYCA took over legal responsibility for managing local public transport.

Campbell wants to create parity on the issue in Hull and the East Riding.

If HEYCA'S executive board approves Campbell's proposal, the change will come into effect in April 2027.

Campbell added it would mean people in the East Riding would "not be restricted to any time zone".

He said: "If they've got early hospital appointments, a doctor's appointment or they need to get out to the shops, they can do it. It's the same as what people currently get in Hull."

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