A NEW concessionary travel scheme offering free bus travel to the over-60s and disabled people has been hailed a great success.

More than 1,500 new people in the borough have been in to collect their passes since the scheme was launched in April.

The revised countywide scheme allows people with a concession-ary travel scheme bus pass to travel free Mondays to Fridays after 9.30am and anytime on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Journeys started before 9.30am on a weekday will be charged at half fare.

The scheme also allows users to cross county boundaries for free as long as their trip starts or ends in Cheshire and does not involve a change outside the county border.

Previously in Ellesmere Port and Neston pass holders were entitled to a 75% discount on fares that started and ended in the borough at all times of the day.

Sandy Fife, the borough council's head of revenue units, said: 'We're very pleased by the take up of the new passes. Previously a lot of people just didn't bother with the concessionary travel scheme, but free travel has proved very attractive.'

Under its concessionary travel scheme the borough council also offers reduced price railcards for elderly and disabled people, which get users a third off most types of rail and some ferry tickets.

The borough council also helps fund the countywide Dial-a-Ride bus service, which provides a door-to-door transport service for elderly and infirm people, and provides taxi vouchers for elderly and disabled people unable to use public transport. nFor further information or to request a bus pass, phone 01244 602666 between 8am and 8pm seven days a week.

Information about all bus and rail services in Cheshire is available at www.cheshire.gov.uk/ transport or by e-mailing traveline@cheshire.gov.uk.