NATIONAL Bus Pass holders in Teignbridge and throughout Devon are being allowed to use their pass earlier in the day following temporary relaxation of restrictions by County Hall today (friday)

The authority has worked with bus companies to remove the weekday restriction which would normally prevent pass holders from being able to use their pass before 9.30am.

The move is in response to fewer schoolchildren and commuters travelling during the coronavirus pandemic, freeing up capacity on public transport. 

The measure will  also enable older people to travel to stores which are offering early opening for over-70s.

Cllr Roger Croad, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for transport, said: ’We want to make life as straightforward as possible during the current pandemic so we’ve worked in agreement with bus companies to temporarily remove the weekday restriction on National Bus Pass holders being able to use their pass before 9.30am. This is possible because of the reduced number of people travelling across the network at this time.’

He added: ’We’ve seen a number of supermarkets open up their stores for older shoppers for the first hour of opening so it makes sense that, where possible, we help open up access to services so that passengers can make it to their local shops and other essential services.

’Taking into account ongoing national travel advice, we are also working with our transport providers to maintain a network of services as much as possible for those people that rely on local bus services.’