TRAVEL times for older people to use buses will revert to the normal 9.30am start time on Monday, the council has announced.

As bus services in Basingstoke prepare for young people to return to school and college, Hampshire County Council has decided to reinstate the later start time for older people’s bus passes.

This was temporarily removed in January this year to help older people travel to early morning vaccination appointments and travel at quieter times for essential journeys.

Councillor Rob Humby, deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and environment at the council, said: “As schools and colleges prepare to open for greater numbers of children and young people from 8 March, we can expect travel times to start to get back to more traditional peak periods.

“It seems the right time to revert to the usual operating hours for bus passes for older people, helping to ensure bus operators have the capacity to provide journeys to those who need to travel to school and college by bus.”

He added: “I would like to thank Hampshire’s bus operators, once again, for making changes quickly and efficiently, responding to the ever-changing demands brought about by travel restrictions in place to help stop the spread of coronavirus, while making sure people are safe for essential journeys.”

Older Persons Concessionary Bus Passes are available for people who have reached State Pension age. The older person’s bus pass entitles people to free travel on bus services throughout England from 9:30am to 11pm Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays. Further information is available at: https://www.hants.gov.uk/buspasses