Hertsmere Council's unpopular plan to scrap free-to-use bus passes for pensioners is likely to be dropped later this month.

But the price of the Zonal Bus Pass would increase by 351 per cent, from £36 last year to £126.70 in 2003/4, because the cash-strapped council would take away most of the money that it used to pay to make them affordable.

After months of angry protests, including one in January where 100 pensioners marched to the Civic Offices in Elstree Way, politicians on the ruling executive will consider making the rare U-turn at their meeting next Wednesday.

The proposal was drawn up at a meeting between council officers and representatives from the Pensioners Rights Association (PRA) and Community Advocacy Project in Borehamwood. If the more expensive Zonal pass proved unpopular, it would be scrapped after a year.

John Brown represented the PRA at the meeting, and said: "I think it is better than just having the half fare pass. It is now a matter of personal choice for the pensioners, but I wouldn't like to say how many will take up the offer."

But he was worried the cost would be too high for many pensioners, who were already suffering hardship because of higher Council Tax bills, rising food prices, rent increases and meagre state pension increases.

Martin Neve, head of revenues and benefits, said it would only be possible to keep the zonal scheme if pensioners were willing to pay for it themselves, instead of relying on heavy subsidies.

"This arrangement has been put together in a very short time and very much at the request of the public," he said, adding: "It is very much an experiment and no doubt there will be a few teething problems to resolve, but I hope that it will prove to be a useful facility for elderly residents of Hertsmere."

If the council votes to keep the zonal scheme running, passes will cost £186.70 each. The council will pay £59.70 towards them, leaving the user to pay £127. Last year the passes cost £167 each, and were subsidised by £131.

The scheme would not cost the council a penny, as it has already agreed to subsidise half-fare bus passes by £59.70 each.

People would be able to pay by monthly instalments, added to their Council Tax bills, and those who have already signed up for half-fare passes would still be able to switch to the zonal pass.

David Endacott, from the PRA, was glad people were being given more options, but said the price was too high: "I think it is asking too much of pensioners, it is going to cost around £10 per month."

The matter was discussed at a pensioners' drop-in centre at Borehamwood Village Hall this week, where around 40 out of 100 people said they would be interested in the zonal pass, even if it cost more. The passes would not be available until May at the earliest.