National Bus Pass Introduction Delayed

After the wonderful example of Terminal Five, perhaps it should be no surprise that there is a delay to the proper implementation of the national bus pass scheme. It seems that thanks to 'technical problems' with the company producing the passes, they will not be available on April 1st as intended.

In an attempt to alleviate any hardship for qualifying Essex residents, Essex bus drivers have been instructed to accept the old passes which expire at the end of March for a further period until the end of April. However, from April 1st. they may only be used after 9.30am, but not for travel outside Essex.

Passes should have been issued by post this week. Euclid, the manufacturer contracted to supply them, has blamed the delay on having to employ an additional sub-contractor to handle some of the work. Euclid, says it has already issued half a million passes to other parts of the country and intends to send out all passes as soon as possible, including some 20,000 for Basildon.