A WOMEN’S pensions campaign group has written to the Welsh Government Minister for Economy and Transport expressing concern about plans to raise the age for free bus passes from 60 to state pension age.

At a recent meeting, members of Ceredigion Women Against State Pension Injustice (WASPI) were dismayed to hear of the plans in the Public Transport (Wales) Bill Draft Regulatory Impact Assessment published in July.

“This proposal really is unacceptable,” said WASPI joint co-ordinator Helen Lyall Williams. “It surely conflicts with the Welsh Government’s stated commitment to older people and to supporting the WASPI campaign.

“The government’s consultation earlier in the year was clearly inadequate. We had heard nothing of these plans until BBC Radio Wales rang and asked for a comment.

“They will not only increase social isolation among older people who will not be able to afford to travel by bus. There will also be a knock-on effect as the bus companies lose income and cut back further on their services.

“WASPI groups have been campaigning in England for free bus passes for women over 60. We have been proud to tell them that the Welsh Government was the first government in the UK to introduce universal free bus travel for older people. We held Wales up as a model of good practice. I am so disappointed to hear that this may change.”

WASPI member Rose Barter, from Cardigan, has just retired after working almost six years extra to get her State Pension. “We travel everywhere by bus nowadays,” she said.

“I rely on my bus pass for shopping and socialising. Bus travel isn’t just a free way of getting from A to B. It’s enjoyable. It can be quite sociable when you get chatting to other passengers. It’s also good for the environment.

“My bus pass really adds to my quality of life. Without it I wouldn’t be able to get around half so much.”

Welsh Assembly member Elin Jones said: “I’m very concerned about the planned rise in the age for bus pass entitlement, and the effect this will have on many older people initially in Ceredigion.

"People affected by the rise in state pension age will already have their finances restricted, this will be a further blow to them in particular.

“I will write to the Welsh Government and emphasise that we need to encourage bus usage, especially in rural locations, and that making it more difficult to travel by bus could have a knock on effect on services across the board.”