A disgruntled would be bus traveller was annoyed to be refused a bus pass because new rules are already in place just days after being announced.
Derek Wiggall thought he could beat a rise in the bus pass eligibility age by applying for one immediately before new measures came into force to raise the age to 65 but was told the measures were already in place and he was too late.
Measures to restrict bus passes to those over the state retirement age were announced recently by the Department of Infrastructure which also said so-called grandfather rights would apply meaning those aged under 65 who already had a bus pass would not need to relinquish it.
Mr Wiggall, who lives in Ramsey, said various reports on the change in the rules, including the one on the DOI’s own website, said an implementation date was yet to be confirmed.
‘I spent £5 on passport photographs to get one to submit with my concessionary travel card application. Imagine my surprise and annoyance when I was told the DoI had introduced the measure to raise the age for the travel card from 60 to 65 immediately, on the very day the story appeared.’
He added: ‘A lady in front of me was caught out by this too. There are going to be some very annoyed people.’
In addition, the Isle of Man transport web site now says the minimum travel card age is state retirement age and qualifying applicants must also have been an Isle of Man resident for at least six months The passes allow free travel with Bus Vannin and on Isle of Man Railways.
Now Mr Wiggall says he wants to know how the change could have come into force without actually being formally announced and whether it will be announced retrospectively.
‘I would also like to know if they are going to apologise for misleading people and I think it should be brought to people’s attention what has happened and the way in which it has been handled.’
A spokesman for the government’s Department of Infrastructure said: ‘There is no requirement in the relevant legislation, the Transport Act, for notice to be given to implement the change to bus pass provision. The diecision on bus passes reflects government policy to bring the provision of certain services in line with the state retirement age.
‘Following the announcement on October 22, the department has stopped issuing new bas passes for people over 60 but under the state pension age. However all those who already have passes but have not reached retirement age will be allowed to continue to use them.’
A DOI statement reminded people they could apply for a pass through the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal as the passes are not issued by the post office.
The bus pass announcement was one of a string of measures announced by the DOI last month. Other measures included a £25 charge for residents applying for a residents’ parking permit, a reduction in the length of stay for cars left in the reverse parking spaces on Loch Promenade, and pay and display charges for vehicles left on the promenade walkway.
The reduction from two hours’ stay to one on the Loch Promenade reverse parking comes into effect in January. Implementation dates for the other measures will be announced soon, the DoI has said.