Go Ahead: pensioners can't have free bus ride

Pensioners cannot be given a "blank cheque" to travel on buses for free, a transport industry leader has warned.

Keith Ludeman, chief executive of the Go-Ahead Group that runs more than 3,400 buses across the country, says councils are struggling to fully reimburse bus companies for the free travel scheme that was introduced a year ago.

Some companies have complained they receive less than half the fare charged to paying passengers from local authorities and are now considering...