FREE bus travel throughout East Cambridgeshire for the over-60s comes into force on Saturday. The scheme, initiated nationwide by the Government, means free travel will be available within the district and reduced fares will be charged on journeys that cr

FREE bus travel throughout East Cambridgeshire for the over-60s comes into force on Saturday.

The scheme, initiated nationwide by the Government, means free travel will be available within the district and reduced fares will be charged on journeys that cross into the wider Cambridgeshire and Peterborough areas.

Fares will be set at £1 single and £1.80 return.

Also some out-of-county journeys are included in the flat fare scheme for the first time.

Registered blind or partially-sighted residents with bus passes will continue to be able to travel free on any journeys within the county boundary at weekends, bank holidays and after 9.30am Monday to Friday with some exceptions.

The scheme has been launched after East Cambridgeshire District Council worked with other district councils, Cambridgeshire County Council and bus operators to provide the best deal.

To tie in with the new scheme, bus passes are being redesigned and are expected to be ready in early June.

Current pass holders with expiry dates between April and June 2006 will not need to renew their passes immediately. Those expiring after June will need renewing as normal.

East Cambridgeshire District Council's executive director of development services, David Archer, said: "It has been difficult negotiating a new scheme given the limits set by central Government but I am pleased all parties have now agreed to the new arrangements.

"This should continue to provide a good service for residents and allow them the flexibility to travel throughout the county and beyond at a reasonable cost.