A CHEAP fares scheme for pensioners in the Malvern Hills area came a step closer this week.

The district council's Executive Board, which met this week, is recommending the project be approved.

It will be a collaboration between MHDC, Worcestershire County Council, Wychavon District Council and Worcester City Council.

Under the Transport Act 2000, which came into force late last year, the district council has a duty to provide half-price bus travel for the elderly and disabled, and a scheme has to be in place by June 1 this year.

The scheme will offer three types of concession to eligible people.

The first will permit half- fare travel within the district council boundaries, the second for journeys within Worcestershire, and the third for journeys starting or finishing in Worcestershire, but also involving travel in neighbouring counties.

Passes for the first type will be free, but people wanting to take advantage of the second and third will have to pay £24 and £38 respectively for their passes.

The estimated cost of reimbursing the bus companies will be £228,000 for the basic scheme, £314,000 for the countywide scheme and £450,000 for the cross-county scheme.

The council will also provide £15,500 over the next two years for surveys to see how the service in being used.

A final decision on the scheme will be taken at the next full council meeting.

Some parishes in Malvern Hills, such as West Malvern, Powick and Upton-upon-Severn already operate bus pass or token schemes, for which they make a small charge.