THE controversial free bus pass scheme that has plunged Worcester City Council finances into crisis may be administered at county level in the future.

Local politicians have welcomed the news that the Department for Transport (DfT) is considering transferring control of the Government scheme – which gives pensioners free bus travel anywhere in the country – from district to county councils in 2011.

Worcester politicians have long been calling for the scheme to be administered countywide following concerns over the way funding has been distributed between different districts this year, Worcester City Council says it has been underfunded by almost half a million pounds, forcing every department to slash its budget by £100,000.

Derek Prodger, county cabinet member in charge of transport, said: “I think it would make perfect sense to transfer the concessionary fare scheme from the districts.

“We have the experience of dealing with public transport, and we also know where we’re targeting bus subsidies. Lots of bus journeys cross district boundaries, and while that could cause the districts problems, it’s no problem for us.”

The city council’s head of finance Grahame Lucas warmly welcomed the news.

He said: “This is something that’s financially crippling us. It needs to move away from small district councils and into larger organisations that can balance out the apparent mis-match of funding and costs.”

City MP Mike Foster said he would speak to transport ministers to see if the date of transfer could be brought forward. He said: “This is what I and the city council have been calling for. It makes sense.”

A spokesman for the Dft said: “We are taking the opportunity to look at the scheme and ensure it is working as well as possible. We will be consulting on various aspects of concessionary travel, including how funding is distributed.”