CONCERNS have been raised proposals to axe free travel for pensioners could stop them visiting Colchester at all.

Essex County Council has been consulting on the plans which could mean a return trip to the town centre for those with older people’s bus passes would cost £1.50 per person.

All concessionary pass holders travel for free after 9am under current rules.

County Hall says the concessionary fares scheme at park and rides across Essex costs it around £447,000 a year in lost revenue.

In order to make savings it could stop free travel for pensioners, which it is not legally obliged to provide. There were 251,598 passenger journeys from the park and ride last year.

Colchester Council has called for “further information on the effect this will have on journeys into Colchester”.

It has raised concerns axing the free journeys could impact on hospital trips and cause parking problems in residential areas.

In a response to the consultation it said: “By removing the concessionary pass discount and introducing a charge for older people, this could encourage those users to drive into the town centre rather than using the park and ride or may even put them off travelling into the town completely.

“The proposal to charge older people could reduce the opportunity to shift trips from the private car onto the public transport network and may also result in a reduction in the number of passengers using the park and ride service.

“The council considers the concession offered to older people on park and ride services after 9am should not be changed from free to £1.50 without further information on the effect this will have on journeys into Colchester.

“Consideration should be given to the outcome of changes to journey patterns made if the charge is introduced, and if this provides Essex County Council with any significant saving.”

An Essex County Council spokesman said: “[The proposed] charge compares favourably with town and city centre parking costs.

“At this moment, no decision has been made on this proposal.

“We will review the consultation responses carefully before any decision is made.”