Teething problems and the sheer number of applications were blamed for the bungle – following the distribution of the new £1 billion-a-year Freedom Pass scheme which aims to boost bus use for older people and the disabled.

Since its launch on April 1, the concession has enabled Cambridgeshire and Peterborough residents aged 60 or over, or eligible disabled residents to travel on any local bus route in England, off-peak, for free.

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But passenger Derek Coleman, of Tilton Court, Welland has been left in the slow lane thanks to some early hiccups.

He has learning difficulties and is entitled to an orange bus pass, so he was shocked to find a blue one peeking from the envelope.

He said: "I got one for an old age pensioner. I'm 30.

"This is the first time it has happened. We've just been sent the new passes and they must be having teething problems.

"When my girlfriend went to the office, there were other people who had the same problem.

"They still allow me on the buses, though, but I will have to wait until they send me another.

"It's silly how they could make that mistake. It's a waste of money having to replace them."

Mark Mayes (42) of Thistle Drive, Stanground, said: "I'm registered as having a disability and they messed up by sending me a pass for a pensioner. It's not just me, but several of my friends.

"Some have applied but still haven't got their passes.

"It's a hassle and a delay. And some of the bus drivers aren't accepting this blue pass."

Peterborough City Council's integrated passenger transport unit manager Teresa Wood apologised to those affected for any inconvenience caused by the issuing of the incorrect bus pass.

She said: "A small number of incorrect bus passes were issued and the council is rectifying all problems as quickly as possible.

"Pass holders who have been issued with the wrong pass can still travel locally with their original orange or green passes."

If people want to travel outside of Cambridgeshire, they should obtain a temporary pass from the Travelchoice Centre at Queensgate bus station.

A total of 273 people who have learning disabilities who have been issued bus passes.

Of these, 14 were issued with the wrong type. While this is a five per cent error rate, the error rate over the 18,000 passes issued is around 2.5 per cent.