HARLOW MP Bill Rammell has welcomed the announcement that from October 6 over-60s and other groups across Essex entitled to concessionary travel will be able to use their concessionary passes from 9am, marking the successful end to a year-long campaign.

Concessionary travel was previously only available in Harlow after 9.30am despite a 9am start in other nearby districts, prompting outcry from pensioners and other groups using the bus pass.

Mr Rammell, who has previously lobbied national and local Government extensively on behalf of Harlow pensioners on this issue, said: “This deal, enabling elderly people and others eligible for the concessionary travel to travel earlier in the day, is vital for those wishing to travel earlier for hospital appointments and other engagements.

“When this Government introduced the legislation to ensure that over-60s could travel both nationally as well as locally for free during the day, it was a local anomaly that in Harlow the concessionary travel started at 9.30am rather than 9am.”

“I’m delighted Essex have seen sense and brokered this deal.”

Additionally, the new agreement sees the period which concessionary users are entitled to travel for free extended from the previous 11pm to midnight. The passes can be used seven days a week, including holidays.