Next stage - multi-operator daily and weekly caps, valid on every participating bus operator within a defined metropolitan region, city council, unitary authority or demarcated conurbation (eg Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre council areas, or Harrogate-Knaresborough-Ripon)
Politically unpalatable would be changes to the senior persons concessionary terms, eg only allowing free travel within the resident's issuing concessionary authority's area
It would be good to know how many large urban areas don't
already have a multi-operator ticket (not counting any where one operator has an effective monopoly).
Unitary authority is no longer a reliable indicator –
North Yorkshire is now a unitary authority, and it is bludding huge!
Limiting the area of validity for ENCTS passes is something that I have considered in the past – I would be reluctant to do it
solely on the issuing authority, because that would give huge differentials. Compare the usage that a resident in Rutland would have compared to a resident in North Yorkshire – it becomes a real postcode lottery. You would certainly need to allow some level of neighbouring areas – whether it's Rutland into Leicestershire, North Yorkshire into York, coverage across Greater Manchester or London, etc.
But before any such restriction was put forwards, I would want to see a rigorous impact analysis. How much money would it save? How much money would it raise? Would it lead to some routes becoming less sustainable, especially in areas popular with visitors, if fewer of those visitors were travelling by bus, and thereby leading to a degraded service for local residents? Would people switch to driving, would they change to just travelling more in their local area, or would they simply travel less? If they were driving more, what would be the impact on the road network. If they were travelling less, how would it affect business and tourism? What would be the impact on people's wellbeing, independence and engagement?
I've certainly heard that the BCR for ENCTS is very positive, when you take all of those factors into account, so any changes or reductions in scope would need to be considered very carefully to ensure any savings are not outweighed by negative consequential effects.