TIMES have become a lot tougher for many people in the past month. But one group of people, the majority of pensioners, have been having to make ends meet on very tight budgets for a long time.

Free bus travel is essential to the thousands of them who just cannot afford to buy and maintain a car – something recognised by the concessionary fare arrangements set up by councils in Lancashire and around the country.

People certainly support such a scheme but they will also be concerned that government and councils seem to be finding it so difficult to operate a system that works. Councils have to pay for journeys which begin in their area and Pendle Council may go it alone rather than hand over to other councils a projected £385,000 of unspent government grants.

But Blackpool Council, for example, says it would be left with a £1.2m deficit if councils don’t pool all the government money – understandable since many of the pensioners’ trips will have been to the seaside and that council is expected to pay for their return journey.

Heads must be knocked together to ensure precipitate action by one or more councils doesn’t bring the system to its knees.