THE wording on bus passes is still driving passengers round the bend after an elderly woman was told her pass was not valid.

The passes, which cover the whole of Worcestershire and several counties, state "valid at all times" and allow pensioners and disabled people to pay half fare for travel.

But pensioners trying to board the First Midland Red bus service before 9am are still being told passes are not valid before that time.

"An elderly woman tried to board the 8.26am bus from Birmingham to Droitwich but was told the bus pass was not valid," said Droitwich councillor John Cook.

"After much debate with the driver he let her on.

"The pass said valid at all times and it should mean that."

Bus safety was another issue raised against First Midland Red at The Bus Users Meeting held in Worcester.

"The same woman claimed she found the bus was unsafe because there was nothing to hold on to by the front seats," said Coun Cook, speaking after the meeting.

"She claimed two elderly people had fallen off their seats and suffered facial injuries after the bus started up."

Coun Cook said he could not comment on what caused the fall, but stressed the importance of handrails.

Austin Birks, commercial manager for First Midland Red, who attended the meeting, said it was hard to establish how the pensioners fell over.

Regulations

"I explained vehicles have to conform to construction and use regulations," said Mr Birks.

"We have to do stringent safety tests and if any amendments are made to buses they have to go back to the Department of Transport."

Joe Lynch, areas officer for the National Federation of Bus Users, said he believed the problem lay with Wychavon District Council, which issued the passes.

"I think the pass is badly worded," he said.

"You can have a half single fare before 9am in Wychavon but not a half return fare at that time. That's my understanding.

"I hope they're made clearer when they're reissued."

Alan Morgan, head of corporate services for Wychavon District Council, said the passes were valid at all times, but it was up to the bus companies whether they allowed half fare returns to be issued before 9am.

"If bus companies choose not to make a return fare before 9am no person can do anything about it," he said.

"The travel pass itself is valid at all times but some bus companies restrict travel times for the half return fares.

"If anybody has a problem they should contact us at Wychavon's One Stop Shop in Droitwich High Street."