'Persistent' OAPs hoping to bend the rules on using their bus passes are making other public transport users late, it has been claimed.
The 93 service from Gloucester to Cheltenham stops at the Arle Court park and ride at 9.24am each morning - six minutes before bus passes for those of a pensionable ag become valid for use.
But according to one regular user of the service, who did not want to give his name, he and others are being held up regularly as the bus pass holders argue with the drivers to try and get a free ride.
"It really annoys me," he said. "It's just one of those things that really winds me up and I'm quite fed up of it.
"They're really persistent, they know their bus pass doesn't work before 9.30am but they stand there and argue with the driver to try and get on, or for long enough that it goes past 9.30am."
He said it's a regular occurrence at the stop and the drivers more often than not patiently explain that they can't let the older passengers on for free.
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"But it makes other people late," he said. "People who need to get to work or into town are being delayed - and they know very well they can't get on with their passes before 9.30am."
The route is operated by Stagecoach West, who said it's not a known issue for them.
A spokesman said: "Typically, concession passes are not known to cause delay boarding times on our services.
Conditions of use for a bus pass in Gloucestershire
- Your concessionary bus pass is valid on participating bus operators' services from 9.30am to 11pm on weekdays and at any time at weekends and bank holidays for journeys within England. You may also use your pass for travel between any bus stop in Gloucestershire and Monmouth or Chepstow
- Your concessionary bus pass may be used before 9.30am on weekdays only on certain Gloucestershire routes and services, details of which are available in this service list (XLS, 43 KB) or by calling 01452 426265. Gloucestershire County Council reserves the right to change such routes and services at any time at our absolute discretion
- You must show your concessionary bus pass to the bus driver on every qualifying journey you undertake. Failure to do so will result in you having to pay the full adult fare for that journey
- The bus driver or inspector has the right to question your entitlement to travel free under the concessionary travel scheme
- Some buses will be crowded, particularly at times of day when workers and children need to travel. If you can, please arrange your journey times to avoid these buses
See the full terms and conditions here.
"We offer a range of ticket purchase options including online via our app, contactless payments and smart cards as well as pre-printed concession bus passes, which make overall boarding times much quicker."
Is this a problem you have ever encountered? Let us know in the comments below.
