In message

, at 09:13:01 on Sun, 23 Jun 2013, Recliner
remarked:
Roland is using his value judgments to restrict universal
benefits, without appreciating that not everyone shares his values.

Not so much my value judgements, as my interpretation of the value
judgements of those who designed the scheme.

But it seems to me that the free buss pass scheme subsidises a very
specific subset of retirees - those who have made the lifestyle choice
to live sufficiently far from the facilities they need to access that
they require a bus, together with there actually being a bus service
they can take advantage of.

Those who made the lifestyle choice to live close enough to the
facilities, such that they don't need to use a bus, are not only failing
to benefit from the bus pass, but are likely to be paying higher taxes
(especially Council Tax) and more for their housing, as result of being
more central.

Those who made the lifestyle choice to live far away, in a bus-less
area, also fail to benefit from the pass.
--
Roland Perry