Well, squarebear
“And I assume these OAPs travelling around the country for free is the reason why my cash fare has increased by 33%?”
If you happen to live in Greater London one of the reasons why cash fares there have increased is to pay, not only for free travel for people over 60 (currently being phased to 65) but also to pay for children to travel free as well. Former Mayor Ken Livingstone introduced this facility to enable children “...to take advantage of the many cultural and educational facilities the capital has to offer...”
He should try travelling on a London bus in the evenings, especially Friday and Saturday. He will then see thousands of “children” taking advantage of his largesse. He will see them taking a bus for as little as one stop causing mayhem as they board and alight in rapid succession. He will witness them scratching all the windows with glass cutters, hurling metal objects from the top deck at passers by and leaving the remnants of McDonald’s hamburgers and milk shakes on the seats. So keen are they to take advantage of the cultural and educational facilities in London that many older people are now forced to walk in the evenings (thus not using their travel permits) as travel by bus is so unpleasant in parts.
At least codswallop will be spared this when heading away from London as I do not believe too many other Local Authorities are so foolish and generous with other people's money.