THOUSANDS of pensioners in Worcester and the Wyre Forest will no longer be able to use their free bus passes during peak times from today.

Controversial changes to the Government’s concessionary bus pass scheme came into force today, with Worcester City Council and Wyre Forst District Council opting to implement them.

Both councils have stopped subsidising free peak time journeys for the disabled and over 60s.

The National Bus Concession Travel Scheme, introduced in 2005, will now only entitle holders to travel for free between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday, and all day during weekends and bank holidays.

Wychavon, Malvern Hills, Redditch and Bromsgrove district councils have not made any changes.

Free bus passes issued in those areas will continue to be valid during peak hours, but can not be used on journeys that start in Worcester City or Wyre Forest.

Angered by the decision, a spokesman for Age Concern Herefordshire and Worcestershire said: “We see this as yet another unnecessary form of discrimination against older people which will have an impact on our clients.” In Worcester an estimated 17,000 people use the scheme. Since April 2008 there has been an 18 per cent increase in the number of concessionary journeys made in the area.

A statement from Worcester City Council said: “The reduction in hours is regrettable, but was the only feasible option due to the limitations of central government funding for this scheme.” Wyre Forest’s cabinet member for housing, health and rural affairs Anne Hingley has previously said the council, which has about 18,500 bus pass users, withdrew scheme funding when setting the 2009/10 budget.

Both councils will continue to subsidise free off-peak journeys for people who accompany disabled passengers.