Free travel for over 60s demanded

A pensioners' group is staging a major protest in Birmingham calling for free public transport for all over 60s.

Members of the West Midlands Pensioners Convention want an end to all bus fares, pointing out current concession rates vary too much across the region.

They are demonstrating on the High Street in the city centre.

Tony Miller from the group says the large number of different discounts make it confusing for bus drivers and passengers.

'Very generous'

"Bus drivers sometimes charge more than they should. You have to protest if you know the regulations.

"The people seeking this (free transport) are people who have got this country to where we are now - the fourth richest nation in the world."

The demonstration is due to be held between 1100 and 1400 BST on Tuesday.

Mik Barton, from Centro, said within the West Midlands which included Coventry, Wolverhampton, The Black Country, Solihull and Birmingham they offered a "very generous" scheme.

"We offer free travel for people aged 65 and over and between the ages of 60 and 65 it's half-price.

"We actually spend £65m every year providing concessionary fares."