Plan to extend free bus pass scheme approved

Pensioners will be able to travel anywhere in East Yorkshire, at any time, using their free bus passes after plans proposed by the local mayor have been approved.

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."

Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) agreed to redress the imbalance between the two council areas at an executive board meeting earlier.

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.

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."

Listen to highlights fromHull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices