*First published at Kent Buzz*
Medway residents have reported that bus passes for the elderly are not being scanned correctly by bus drivers.
In most cases, when an elderly passenger boards the bus and presents their pass, they are told not to worry about scanning it and just sit down.
Despite the elderly still not being charged to ride, not scanning the passes means that data is not being recorded to show elderly usage of the buses – which could result in cuts.
Cllr Stuart Tranter, a Conservative of Rochester West said: “I don’t see how we’re going to have reliable data about the usage of those buses, unless we’re saying that older folk don’t really count.”
Currently Medway residents are able to apply for an ”Older person’s bus pass” if they have reached the current state pension age of 66 years old.
Cllr Phil Filmer, Portfolio Holder for the Frontline Services responded: “We have challenged them (Arriva bus company) about this because it doesn’t give you an accurate figure on the usage of the buses.”
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