Anyone who qualifies for a concessionary bus pass will now be able to travel for free at any time in Cornwall from April 1.

Up until now, older people and those with a disability who qualify for a bus pass have been able to travel for free after 9.30am on Mondays to Fridays and at any time at weekends and bank holidays.

Now, Cornwall Council has decided to extend the scheme so that concessionary bus pass holders can travel on public buses at any time and will no longer have to wait until 9.30am to travel for free.

Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport Geoff Brown said: "We have listened to residents who hold these bus passes. They have told us that having to wait until 9.30am to be able to travel for free on the bus means that they can’t travel to early appointments.

"In the case of disabled concessionary bus pass holders in particular, they have told us that under the current arrangements, they can’t use their pass early enough so they either have to pay or make alternative arrangements to travel to adult training and day centres."

Geoff adds: “We want to encourage people to use public transport and here is a practical way the Council can help people who have a concessionary bus pass to do just that at no cost to them.”