Bus & Tram Fare Discount Update

A visit this morning to Hounslow Jobcentreplus and as always a revelatory experience. “Go away” the bouncers(yep – they have bouncers!) said, “no signing on today due to office re-organisation, you will be paid on your usual day(wish I could rely on that but having experienced failure to pay twice this year already I am not confident)”. Would have saved me a couple of hours in time and a couple of quid in fares if they could have been bothered to ring me beforehand.

On enquiring as to the availability of an application form for the Bus & Tram fare discount, which is being extended to those in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance for over thirteen weeks by the London Mayor, I am met with a blank stare. “We only have forms for those on Income Support” I am told. The floor manager very kindly offers to telephone Glasgow Benefits Centre on my behalf to make enquiries and bingo, they are aware of this and will send me a letter which should enable the Post Office to issue me with the appropriate Photocard.

I wonder why information on this scheme is so hard to come by, why don’t they make it easy for people to enjoy this excellent provision.