Pensioners given free bus travel

Free off-peak bus travel is on the cards for pensioners and disabled pass holders in an area of Cumbria.

From next April, the 11,000 pensioners and disabled pass holders in Carlisle will be able to travel for free after rush hour and all day on weekends.

They are currently entitled to a 60% discount on normal bus fares.

Carlisle City Council has also agreed that pass holders would be entitled to free travel for two weeks during the Christmas period.

The council carried out a random survey of pass holders, which suggested that the number of bus journeys they make would rise by more than a quarter when free travel is introduced.