People with free bus passes, granted free travel all day during the pandemic, will soon have to revert back to original timings.

Wiltshire Council will reintroduce the normal time restrictions from March 8. Concessionary pass holders can only use them from 9:30am on weekdays, but can continue to use them at any time at weekends. Bus companies have been advised of the changes.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “This offer was only ever in place until such time as schools opened up fully to receive all pupils”

“Since 1 February Wiltshire concessionary bus pass holders have been able to travel free of charge on buses at any time of day in order to assist Wiltshire residents to access vaccination centres by bus. Given the positive local vaccination uptake, we hope that this temporary offer helped older residents to get to their vaccination appointments and get protected from COVID-19.

“From 8 March the council is re-introducing the 9:30am start time on weekdays, in order to ensure there is enough capacity on busses at peak times when school and college students return and so that social distancing can be managed effectively.

“Bus operators have been notified of this change, and bus passes will not be accepted on ticket machines before 9:30am, unless travelling on an infrequent exempted route, but if pass holders wish to use the bus before 9:30am they can pay the usual fare.

“However, if anyone is struggling to get to get to their vaccination appointment and has no other options available to them – please call our Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub on 0300 003 4576 or email wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk and our team will see if we can help.”