A DISPUTE over whether or not a bus firm should accept pensioner and disabled passes in Redditch is still going on almost 12 months after it began.

The row started when Pete's Travel took over a number of routes axed by the town's main bus operator, First, but then refused to accept pensioner and disabled passes.

Redditch Council issued a participation notice forcing the bus company to accept the passes.

But Pete's Travel appealed against the notice to the Transport Secretary and now, almost a year later, the council is set to present the case for its concessionary fare scheme.

The council, which has carried out surveys to strengthen its case, sets aside about £635,000 for its concessionary fare scheme based on the number of miles covered by a timetable, not the number of passengers.