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11 April 2008 14:49
Got the urge to use your free bus pass? Fancy seeing a bit more of the country? Retired head teacher Richard Elloway, 61, did just that, he has become the first person to use his free bus pass from Land's End to John O'Groats.
Although his pass is only valid in England, Richard found bus drivers north of the border sympathetic to his cause as he intends to donate any money raised from the trip to Breaks4Kids, a charity of the Youth Hostel Association providing holidays for disadvantaged children.
End to End in seven daysRichard's epic trip on public transport has taken him exactly one week, six hours and 10 minutes to complete; arriving at John O'Groats on Tuesday afternoon having plotted a course through Tiverton, Bristol, Cambridge, Lincoln, Scarborough, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Inverness.
Speaking to ITN News, Richard said, "I have been keen on doing this for a very long time and I made sure I was down at Land's End bright and early on April 1.
"I am treating it as a race to John O'Groats and back again but I appear to be the only one taking part. It took me one week and six hours to get to John O'Groats and I am already travelling at a good rate back.
"But overall it's been a holiday. I have done the trip several times by bike so it is nice to be doing the journey without having to break sweat.
"It's very important that I get back in good time. I am a member of the Land's End to John O'Groats Association and the journey time is only official when I get back.
Park and ride"My car's still parked in Cornwall - it's been Britain's longest park and ride."
Although admitting public transport was a bit "hit and miss", the 61 year-old who is no stranger to the route, will no doubt concede that the seating onboard was a whole lot more agreeable than those of his previous one he endured on his two previous 'End to End' trips - his bike saddle.
Are you a budding bus pass trekker? Does public transport drive you up the wall? Share your plans or vent your anger below or in the forums.
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Land's End to John O'Groats on a free bus pass
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Jhammond says
RE: Terry Pratchett 'angry' at Alzheimers diagnosis
TP is one of the best writers about
19 July 2010 13:54
johnernest says
Not as bad as demencia
14 July 2010 23:42
jeangenie48 says
RE: Land's End to John O'Groats on a free bus pass
Well done to Richard. I had the idea of travelling around Wales(I live in North Wales) with a friend on our bus passes quite a while ago, but I'm sure we'd take much longer than a week as the buses in Wales are not as frequent as they are in England! One day maybe we'll try it!! What about a campaign for a national bus pass, as we are all still pensioners whichever country we're in?!
Well done to Richard. I had the idea of travelling around Wales(I live in North Wales) with a friend on our bus passes quite a while ago, but I'm sure we'd take much longer than a week as the buses in Wales are not as frequent as they are in England! One day maybe we'll try it!!
What about a campaign for a national bus pass, as we are all still pensioners whichever country we're in?!
03 April 2010 00:57
Alanedm says
Good man Richard, life's for having fun but even better sharing your fun tales and experiences with us all. I can't help thinking tho that someone will tell you that this type of enterprise is not what the bus pass was intended for. If only I had known , I would have raced you there on my bike,,, Good luck mate,,Alan
Good man Richard, life's for having fun but even better sharing your fun tales and experiences with us all. I can't help thinking tho that someone will tell you that this type of enterprise is not what the bus pass was intended for.
If only I had known , I would have raced you there on my bike,,, Good luck mate,,Alan
12 January 2010 18:10
collishaw says
It is very hard and you cannot help think life is unfair. I wish you all the luck and help possible.
16 August 2009 08:00
