[Merv]

I have been enjoying free swimming sessions most mornings at Waterside Farm. From 1st September this will end and we over 60s (and the under 16s) will have to pay. It appears that as a country we are skint so what do you think this new scheme will produce? Loads of income as all us old ones queue up and pay? Or, empty swimming pools because nobody will be using the facility at about £2 a throw?

Bit like free bus travel for over 60s. Do away with it and there will be even more empty buses trundling around.

Perhaps when these facilities are empty the Government will then feel justified in closing them down altogether. Then we'll all lose out.

Merv

[Matt H.]

Merv, on 24 August 2010 - 12:22 PM, said:

Bit like free bus travel for over 60s. Do away with it and there will be even more empty buses trundling around.

I can but hope!

Bus passes entitling Pensioners to free travel should be abolished and replaced with a card like the U16's Bite card that entitles them to discounted travel. For OAPs this should be restricted to off-peak times too, (between 10am-3pm. If they want to travel outside of these hours then they should pay full fare like every other adult travelling to work).

Many a time I've travelled on a bus to Southend/Basildon, full of Grannies moaning about how the bus was late and there isn't any room to get their trollies on, (blissfully ignorant that they're the cause of the bus running late and lack of space). Only for I to be charged 3 quid to make up for the loss in revenue caused by these passes.

Almost makes me refuse to give up my seat should one of these blue-rincers need it!

And lets not get started on 5 year olds being charged almost 2 quid, compared to 65 year olds who get's on for nothing! (I applaud those Pensioners who opt not to take up their free pass).

[Merv]

You miserable pols get. When you''re a wrinkly I hope you zimmer fre collapses.