The Bus Pass

The Bus Pass
At the age of 60 we can have a bus pass. Free rides on bus and train throughout Greater Manchester. From the 1st April 2008 the pass allows free bus rides on all local buses throughout the country, and we can still ride the trains in this area. I was forced by circumstaces to seriously consider the bus to go into town after three parking tickest costing £90 our Parking Attendants are viscious. So the day came when I decided to take a bus ride into town
It felt quite liberating to leave the car behind and walk away from the house heading for the nearest Bus Stop. I had not ridden on a bus for 36years or more so I was feeling a bit nervous.
Nothing to it I assured myself, signal the bus, get on, show your pass and sit down. Simple.
I knew there would be a bus every 15minutes I had a timetable. Within minutes I was riding along enjoying the view, deliberating where to get off. I wanted a walk, so I alighted well before my destination. It was a lovely day and it was good to feel the warmth of the sun . When I reached the town centre I already knew where I was going as I had planned my shopping route. I meandered through most of the main department stores in town,stopped for a coffee break at one of the fashionable cafes, then finished at the open market next to the bus station. Loaded with shopping I headed back to the bus. I was so relaxed, not having to look for parking or watch the clock. I`d had time for coffee, a chat with a stranger and the time to browse the shops at my leisure. Bliss, why oh why had I waited so long. It took a free bus pass to tempt me and I`m glad I made the choice.
The Metro
Now I was used to the Metro. I would parking at Radcliffe Station and go into Manchester about three times a year. No way would I drive into the City its too congested, and is one large precinct, mad. Now I catch the Metro in Bury at the bus interchange its so simple only takes 40 mins from Bolton to Manchester. In the car it takes over an hour and then you have to find somewhere to park and walk into the centre.
The Train
I had never taken the train until 2005. My friend Dorothy is a seasoned traveller so she took charge of my first train journey that was fraught with delays and overcrowding. Not a very comfortable journey to Lands End enroute for the Scilly Isles.
So a few weeks ago I decided to be brave and travel to Wigan on the train, it took only 18mins from Bolton to arrive at Wallgate Station in the centre of the town. A multitude of shops and interlinking Malls . I had time for lunch and lots of browsing, bought a couple of things and got lost in one huge Shopping Mall was redirect and soon found my way to Wallgate Station and home. Let the train take the strain .Exactly
Goodness knows where I will be going after when I get this bus pass..