I wonder how many OAP’s in Surrey realise that when the new arrangements for Free off-peak travel start on April 1st 2008, the passes cannot be used until 0930 am instead of the current time of 0900 am ?
I am one of the people who enjoy riding around on the buses with my SCC pass and currently feel that a 0900 am start time is late enough.
I only found this info out by trawling through pages and pages on the internet and as most OAPs do not use a computer or don't even know how to, I hope that the later 0930 am start time will be given plenty of prominent publicity to avert some arguments and upset that bus drivers could well do without.

Here in Mid-Beds we are allowed free travel at ANY time of day on ANY day of the week. I can see us losing a frequent (local) benefit in order to gain a rare (national) one. Not the best deal I've ever been offered!

The position in Surrey is even more difficult for drivers, because some areas have funded an 0900 start and others only from 0930. In addition, will a national pass issued in an area which has funded a 0930 start be valid in a neighbouring area which has funded twenty-four hour use, which might be the case in Greater London?
All Local Authorities should be fully funded by Central Government, on a ring fenced basis, to allow travel from 0900. There could be an additional option for individuals, their employers or charities for their volunteers, to buy extended use.
Disabled pass holders and their carers as well as those with proof of an essential medical appointment should have unrestricted access.

Norfolk offers free travel after 8.30am.
As a disabled person, I still work part-time and 9.30am start will be useless, although I can get home for free.

The heading of this thread should have read 0930 start time instead of 0900 in Surrey. Furtermore it is now only ONE working day now, before the new pass arrangements come into force and here in the Tandridge District of Surrey where I live, no one I have spoken to have yet received their new passes. The local newspaper reports that Reigate and Banstead council have kept the 0900 start time !! What joy !!

please spare a thought for the bus drivers who will have to put up with a lot abuse from people who don't seem to fully read the information leaflet that is provided with your pass. as a driver my company covers 4 different county boundries all with different criterias, this scheme has been ill thought out from the onset and still after 2 years from its concept there still seems to be a lack of good basic and relevant information for the pass holders

I received my new pass yesterday but my Wife hasnt got hers yet. There was no leaflet enclosed with my new ticket. I rang Tandridge District Council asking what time I can use my pass, they said 9.30 am, then last night I looked at the Tandridge website and it states that TDC have funded the earlier start time of 9 am. What a shambles. I feel sorry for the poor bus drivers, I really do.

My Wife's pass arrived in the post, mid morning on the day the passes came valid. There were also two seperate envelopes received by post on the same day from T D Council explaining what to do if your new pass has not arrived, there were also details of the earlier 0900 start time.
All seems to come to those that wait !!

Hooray! Just had it confirmed from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council in Kent that their concession start time will be changed on 1 July 2008 from 0930 to 0900.