'Nationalisation' of Tyne and Wear bus services.
 

Don,t touch me bus pass.:)

The pensioners' bus pass is issued by local councils, but is valid (at least at present) throughout England (though I believe that Scotland and Wales have similiar schemes).

I wonder what 'rights' the bus companies might have to refuse or charge?

I am frequently on buses where very few passengers (sometimes none) actually pay.

OTOH, I (and no doubt many others) only travel because it's free. If we had to pay the buses would be empty and wouldn't be viable.