BUS passengers who benefit from concessionary bus travel in the Wyre Forest district are being asked for their opinion on how the scheme should be developed.

Wyre Forest District Council is reviewing the schemes available for pensioners and disabled people and has teamed up with the Shuttle/Times and News to enable readers to have a direct input into the way forward.

There are currently two bus pass schemes on offer - a Wyre Forest District Council Scheme and a Government Scheme.

People who take up the council scheme pay £6 for a pass and then 40p per single journey at any time within the district.

Those on the government scheme gain a free pass and can travel within the district for half price but only between 9.30am and 11pm weekdays and all day over weekends.

Among the criteria for eligibility is that the applicant must be a permanent resident in the area and be 60 years old or over. The council also offers an alternative taxi travel token scheme for anyone over 80 who does not have the use of a car or for people with certain disabilities.

But in April next year the government is planning to introduce a new scheme which would offer free bus journeys in the district after 9.30am to those eligible for concessionary travel.

The council has now set up a Task and Finish Group to investigate the different options available and it would like users' opinions. The group is considering the uptake of the current schemes, the times which transport is used and the length of journeys most people make. It is also reviewing the cost of all the options.

The group is being chaired by Councillor Fran Oborski who said: "We are anxious to hear the views of the users of the concessionary travel schemes and find out how they would like them developed.

"We would also like the opinion of people who are eligible for the schemes and are asking them to fill in a questionnaire. The results will help us decide what to offer from next April."

As part of the review, the group is meeting with representatives from local bus companies and Dial-a-Ride.

Copies of the questionnaire are available from all council offices or can be downloaded from the council's website www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk.

If you would like copies of the questionnaire, please call Rachel Booton at the district council on 01562 732730.