More free buses for some passengers - what will it mean for you?
BBCPeople of state pension age in Stoke-on-Trent will be able to use their bus passes for free all day, every day from next month.
Those eligible under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) currently have to pay for buses before 09:30 on weekdays, but the new Potteries Freedom Pass will allow them to travel in the city for free earlier in the morning.
The pilot scheme, which starts on Monday and runs until 31 March, is intended to help older people get to medical appointments, go shopping and see family at any time.
It is available on four local services: D&G Bus, First Potteries, Scraggs and Stantons of Stoke.
But what does the change mean for passengers?
Who is eligible?
The scheme is available to older people with bus passes who are eligible for the ENCTS.
The Potteries Freedom Pass removes the national scheme's weekday morning restriction, allowing holders in Stoke-on-Trent to travel for free at any time.
When does it start?
If you are a pass holder, you will be able to travel before 09:30 on weekdays from Monday. The scheme is being introduced as a pilot and is due to run until 31 March.
It will be officially launched at Hanley bus station at 10:30 BST on Monday.
Where can passengers use it?
The pass can be used at any time of day, seven days a week, on any of the four participating local bus services in Stoke-on-Trent: D&G Bus, First Potteries, Scraggs and Stantons of Stoke.
What difference will it make to passengers?
The main change is that older passengers will no longer have to wait until 09:30 on weekdays to access free travel. This means passengers will not have to organise their day around the time their bus pass becomes valid.
Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for growth, regeneration and transport at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "We know that many residents need to travel earlier in the day for medical appointments, volunteering opportunities, employment, shopping and other essential activities.
"Removing the cost barrier for early morning journeys will help people remain independent, stay connected and access the services they need."
The city council said it wanted to make public transport more affordable and accessible and encourage more people to use buses. It said it would monitor passenger numbers during the pilot.
The council said the Potteries Freedom Pass would be funded from its existing concessionary fares budget. It added that the scheme was "one of a handful" in England offering unlimited travel to residents of state pension age.
What other help is available?
Travel for disabled bus pass holders in the city was made free before 09:30 last September, and from April it will be free any time. The council said the scheme had been well received so far.
Those ineligible for a Potteries Freedom Pass can take advantage of the £2 bus fare cap.
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