Plea over bus pass wait

Pensioners and people with disabilities across Shropshire are still waiting for their bus passes - three weeks after they were introduced.

Now councils across the county are calling on bus companies to continue to accept the old passes until May 31. It would mean that people will be able to travel throughout Shropshire using the pass which expired on March 31.

The bus passes, for people 60 and over and for people with disabilities, came out on April 1, allowing them to travel across England for free.

Previously senior citizens and disabled people could only get free bus travel across the county.

But Fujitsu, the company commissioned by the government to produce the cards, has been unable to get all the cards out on time.

The problems encountered are not confined to Shropshire, as many local authorities across the country are facing similar difficulties.

Most are using the same company to produce and distribute the cards but it has emerged that it is struggling to meet the demand.

A spokesman for Oswestry Borough Council said: “Due to the delays some people have encountered in receiving their new bus passes, Oswestry Borough Council, along with all of the other Shropshire councils, has arranged for bus companies to continue to accept the old passes until May 31.

“Oswestry Borough Council apologises for any inconvenience and would like to assure people every effort is being made to get the passes to people.

“However, the problems are beyond its immediate control and it cannot say exactly when they will be sent out.” Anyone who has not yet applied for their pass can do so by contacting their council.

A spokesman for Fujitsu said: “Fujitsu has processed and dispatched all records received from the local authorities (2.88m cards) and is continuing to process new cards as received from the authorities as people turn 60 every day.”

By Suzanne Roberts