This paper describes how the general rationale for the provision of free or cheap travel for the elderly is well known. Public transport can provide an essential lifeline for the non-car owning elderly. At off-peak times,a use should be found for the buses used at journey-to-work times by fare-paying commuters and this provided the basic justification for the granting of free, or reduced fare tickets for the elderly in many large urban areas. One such area is formed by the West Midland conurbation in the UnitedKingdom where free travel passes have been available to the elderly after9:30 am and before 3:30 pm. The travel passes have been in operation since 1974, and during that period the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive has attempted to integrate bus and rail services and fares.
Samenvatting