Bus passenger takes trip of a lifetime

A Greater Manchester resident will start an epic 700-mile free bus journey across England tomorrow (1 April) to celebrate the launch of the Government's new National Bus Travel Concession scheme.

60-year-old Manju Ghosh, from Lostock, Bolton, today received a send-off from Regional Minister for the North West, Beverley Hughes MP, and Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) Vice Chair, Councillor Allen Brett, ahead of her trip of a lifetime.

Manju will travel from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Land's End - using her new National Travel Pass, which gives over 60s and eligible disabled people free travel on local buses throughout the country.

Manju begins the challenge on the day the new National Travel Pass is introduced in England. She will travel with her friend, 66-year-old Christine Jackson, from Sheffield.

It will take the duo 12 days to complete the trip, staying at friends' houses along the way and passing through numerous English towns and cities including Berwick, Newcastle, Darlington, Selby, York, Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield, Oxford, Bath, Dorchester, Penzance and Land's End.

Manju said: "I heard about the scheme a while ago and I do use public transport a lot and thought it would be a great adventure. I also wanted to see if it was possible to travel the country just using local bus services - and it's a good opportunity to see friends and have fun."

Manju and Christine will use the travelling time to do their favourite hobby - the Guardian newspaper's daily crossword.

She added: "I think that public transport is very important and that people rely too much on their cars. Not only is it better for the environment but it means that you can relax and do a crossword or read a book while someone else does the driving!"

Regional Minister for the North West, Beverley Hughes, said: "The new concession is great news for pensioners and eligible disabled as it means they will be able to travel much further afield for free. That is something Mrs Ghosh is highlighting by travelling from one end of the country to the other and I hope she has a wonderful journey.

"With their new passes, eligible disabled people and those over 60 will have more freedom, whether that's accessing things like nearby hospitals or visiting friends and family in other parts of the country, which is precisely why the Government is introducing this scheme."

Councilllor Allen Brett, Vice Chair of GMPTA, said: "Manju is just one of 320,000 older and disabled people in Greater Manchester who have taken up the offer of a national travel pass.

"I'm sure she'll have a great trip and I hope her example will encourage anyone who hasn't yet applied for a pass to get one and make sure they don't miss out. Greater Manchester residents can also use their passes to travel for free on local trains and trams too."

The National Travel Pass entitles people aged 60 and over and eligible disabled people to free travel on local bus services anywhere in England from 9.30am to 11pm on weekdays and all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays.

Greater Manchester residents can use their pass for free travel on local bus services in the county through to midnight. They can also travel for free on Greater Manchester's local trains and tram services from 9.30am, with concessions before then.

Passengers can continue to use their old pass until the end of September for travel within their local area but will need to apply for the new pass to benefit from local bus travel in other areas.

Greater Manchester residents can find out more by visiting http://www.gmpte.com or calling 0161 244 1050.

More information is also available at http://www.direct.gov.uk/buspass.