Hi PB residents,

I am really perplexed how Potters Bar residents (OAP's & the Disabled) are not entitled to a free annual Freedom Pass???

Residents of Barnet & Enfield are allowed free transport into PB or at least up to zone 6 by all means possible(train,tube, bus) but our residents have to pay ridiculously high prices for the same privilege!

We seem to get a really raw deal on transport in PB!

I have read that Councillor Haywood has pledged to do something about this???

Can anybody enlighten me on the progress?

Isn't it also time that PB rail station does get the push for zone 6 designation?

Surely our MP's have to push this issue further?

Potters Bar would greatly benefit as you all would agree.

Imagine the economic impact of this happening? Struggling local businesses and improved trade come to mind. Not to mention the the commuters that come into PB for the larger companies.

Travel to & from PB by train has been far too expensive for far too long!

The greedy train companies that have come and gone have not shown any sign of providing an affordable solution.

What can be done to get these issues heard?

Please feel free to comment?

Thanks for your time.

Caveman

I agree with you (though I'm 20 years away from collecting one!) The cost is pretty minimal (a bargain at £400 a year each) however I'm sure a lot of passes are issued and never used or used rarely.

My parents are entitled and probably make about 5 journeys a year (they have a car). I would probably be the same, have the pass "just in case". Why not, you've paid for it (well actually, you haven't - it's the current council tax payers who are paying for it!).

It would greatly benefit residents in Hertsmere who are just close enough to have a great travel system on their doorsteps but get fleeced to use it. I'm sure if you got the right people in the (local) council involved they could put it to a vote and if they say no (which they probably will) a petition could provoke a public vote. After all we had an expensive vote on all that local council nonsense a while back!

I don't think you'll see PB into Z6 though, someone would have to compensate FCC for the loss of revenue. The last mayor wanted to take control of all commuter routes from as far away as Stevenage which sounded great but then again now private companies are running the railcos they bank on getting a certain profit so would need to be compensated if they were forced to drop their fares.

As far as I know, all Freedom Passes are Free at the point of use.

The UK ones allow any OAP (or is it an over 60?) free travel on any local bus after 9.30am in the UK. This is financed by central government.

OAPs and some disabled who live in London are entitled to a London Freedom Pass. As well as UK local buses, it entitles then to free travel on the tube and on the overground. It is paid for by London Boroughs and therefore by London ratepayers.

I dont see any reason that Hertsmere could not offer the same Freedom Pass, but would cost all ratepayers dearly, and it is unlikely would be a popular measure. That is what some call local democracy, and others a postcode lottery.

I don't think the cost would be that much - I found it shown somewhere at £400. I think divided by Hertsmere council tax payers it wouldn't amount to much at all. I'd be willing to pay for it now to think I would have such a bonus when I retired!