PENSIONERS are being asked to pay voluntarily for the bus in order to save a service in Hull.
Those aged 60 and over have passes which allow them free travel after 9.30am.
But now East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) is asking users of the 48 service to fork out up to �2.70 for return travel into the city centre.
Bosses say they were going to scrap the service and that a three-month trial asking for voluntary payment is the preferred alternative.
Chief executive and chairman Peter Shipp said: "I cannot emphasise enough that this is a voluntary payment.
"Pensioners with bus passes are allowed to travel for free, but if they don't show their pass and want to pay, that is up to them.
"The idea for voluntary payment came from bus users, who said they would prefer this to losing the service completely."
The number 48 service runs from Maplewood Avenue in west Hull to the city centre via Kirklands Road, Spring Bank West and Anlaby Road.
There are nine buses into town from Maplewood from Monday to Saturday and seven on Sundays.
Although there are other services serving Spring Bank West and Anlaby Road, only the 48 goes to Maplewood Avenue and Kirklands Road.
Mr Shipp said: "With fuel costs going up, concessionary fare money being cut by the Government and other grants and monies being taken away, we are going to be losing about �3million in the next year.
"The number 48 service was operating at a loss of �40,000.
"About 465 passengers a week use the bus from Kirklands and Maplewood, 252 of which are pensioners.
"This means a lot of people are getting the bus for free, and with the Government cuts, we had to look at alternatives."
A three-month trial, where older passengers will be asked to voluntarily pay their fare, will begin from tomorrow.
But although it is only voluntary, the news has upset some passengers.
A petition has been circulated and some residents have written letters expressing their concerns.
David Treacher, 61, of Nelson Road, is a frequent traveller on the service.
He said: "I don't think a lot of people realise this is voluntary.
"There are signs up in the bus which are unclear.
"People will see it and think that they have to pay."
EYMS says the 48 service will be reviewed after the trial.
When asked if the voluntary scheme could be rolled out to other services, Mr Shipp added: "We would look into it, if this trial is successful, but every service is different.
"This one was chosen as it has a high proportion of concessionary fares.
"I certainly wouldn't hold out hope that it would work elsewhere."
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