When I see ENTS pass holders board a bus just to travel a couple of stops from just one end of the High Street to the other, I can’t help but compare it with my grandparents and many others of their generation. I’m going back 40+ years ago but in those days pensioners and many less well off younger people would not board a bus to travel 2 or 3 stops. In contrast they would walk down the road 2 or 3 stops to the next fare stage to save a few pennies to get for a cheaper fare!
As it happens, I was considering this last night. It often seems to me that those most in need of assistance, support, etc. - in this debate their buss pass - are those who are least likely to make a fuss, almost as though they are too embarrassed to be seen accepting the benefit. 85-year old Granny Dryden who desperately needs her pass to do her once weekly shop (independently, as alluded to by Typhoon in a later post) won't say anything, whilst 65-year-old Granny Smith, who still owns a car uses the bus to travel to her part-time job is the first to complain that she can't also use it on the train/tram/before 9.30/on the tourist bus.
I foresee the same being true of under-25s if this policy ever takes off. Those who really benefit will accept whatever they are given and be thankful, whilst those most able to travel in other ways will start demanding why they can't use it on the train/tram/until age 40.