Bus pass blunder reassurance
IPSWICH'S 20,000 bus pass-holders were told today that they will still be able to travel for free despite a government cock-up in delivering new cards.
IPSWICH'S 20,000 bus pass-holders were told today that they will still be able to travel for free despite a government cock-up in delivering new cards.
Senior citizens across the country face a wait to receive their new concessionary bus passes because of central government delays.
Like other councils in Suffolk, Ipswich borough used a commercial card handling organisation to handle production and distribution of the new cards, but the council has been told that they will not be delivered on time.
Millions of cards are set to be posted to pensioners across England in the next week.
Today Ipswich Borough Council sought to reassure senior citizens that the old cards, which run out on Monday, will be valid on all Suffolk bus journeys until the end of April.
And if Ipswich pensioners wish to travel outside Suffolk - which the new passes will entitle them to do - they should contact the borough council to arrange for a replacement to be issued.
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A council spokesman said: “We have received many calls from worried customers and we want to get the message across that they will be all right to continue travelling.
“It is very frustrating when big contracts like this are hit by delays outside our control but we are pleased to have found a solution and hope the new cards will be received in early April.
“And if a bus pass holder wishes to travel outside Suffolk they should contact us before the trip to arrange for a replacement.”
n. If you want to get a replacement pass in order to travel outside Suffolk call the borough council on 01473 432062.
n. Have you been affected by the bus pas fiasco? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
