Coronavirus: Stagecoach extends free bus travel for Peterborough’s elderly to take advantage of exclusive shopping hours

The company, which runs almost all services in the county, started the offer today (Thursday) after being contacted by Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council.

Currently, pensioners receive a bus pass which allows them to travel free on local buses anywhere in England between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays and all day weekends and public holidays.

However, with some shops and banks now offering early opening hours exclusively for the elderly and vulnerable due to the coronavirus it has been decided to let elderly residents with a bus pass enjoy free travel before 9.30am.

The scheme applies to all concession passes.

The news was welcomed by MP for Peterborough Paul Bristow who said he had been lobbying for the change.

He told the Peterborough Telegraph: “It’s excellent that supermarkets are dedicating time for shopping for older people and those vulnerable to the effects of the coronavirus, but it’s no good if bus pass holders can’t get there.

“I contacted the council and they got straight onto Stagecoach. To their credit they have acted swiftly and bus pass holders will now be able to use the bus before 9.30am.

“What a fantastic win. Peterborough is a caring city.”

Among the stores in Peterborough offering exclusive opening hours are QD in the Orton Centre and The Barn by Cherry Lane in Gunthorpe Road, Paston, which are opening between 8.30am and 9am.

Sainsbury’s in Bretton is also reportedly opening between 7am and 8am.

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