WHEN exactly the over 60s and disabled are allowed to use the buses in West Devon for free has caused confusion this month.

An elderly woman, who tried to use her concessionary pass at 9am on a Beacon bus on the Barnstaple to Tavistock route last Wednesday was told she would have to pay, as the concession, paid for through local council tax, did not come into operation until 9.30pm.

However, a press statement by West Devon Borough Council, which was issued in February and appeared in the Times stated: 'In the next year, residents and businesses will benefit from a number of initiatives from the council including free bus travel from 9am for the over 60s and the disabled and the scheme has been extended

to include carers/companions too.'

When a friend of the elderly passenger — who did not wish to be named — contacted the council they were first told they could use the pass, then they were told that the matter was still being discussed and the 9am concession could take effect in July.

Roger Jennings, the transport manager for Beacon Buses of Dolton, said he understood the passengers' confusion.

Mr Jennings said it was a difficult situation for his drivers to deal with, as they were the ones who received the complaints.

Mr Jennings said elderly or disabled people would not be left standing at bus stops if they did not have the money to travel — but the situation needed sorting out.

He said: 'People have been misled by the information put out in the paper. It's all very confusing, the council need to clarify exactly the time when people are allowed to travel free.'

However, West Devon Borough Council confirmed this week that the concessions will come in from July 1.

A spokeswoman said the council could not introduce the concessions earlier for legislative reasons, and until they had fully liaised with the bus operators in the area.

Alison Stoneham, the senior press officer for the council, told the Times: 'We would like to make it clear that the 9am concession, for the over 60s and the disabled and the carer/companions, is going to be introduced from July 1.