MANY elderly and disabled bus users in south Essex are still without their new free travel bus passes, more than a week after the intended start date.

Problems with delivering and making the cards left many over-60s and disabled travellers without the passes on April 1, when the scheme came into force nationally.

It allows free travel on buses anywhere in the country during off-peak times.

Councils across south Essex said most of the passes had now been delivered, but disappointed passengers said they were still being forced to use their old expired passes while they waited for the new ones.

Sylvia Forrester, 72, of Andersons, Stanford-le-Hope, said: "I still haven't had mine yet. I know other people who also still haven't got them, but also others who have.

"Thankfully I haven't been in the situation where I have wanted to use the new one."

Edward Kent, 88, of Sains, Laindon, received his new pass on Monday.

He said: "It was a bit delayed, but I'm glad I've got it now. I don't travel much further than London, but I plan to use it to travel that far."

Thurrock Council said it had sent out all the passes that were applied for, but there were still a few problems with some of them.

Andy Lever, a council spokesman, said: "Unfortunately, a relatively small number of applicants have advised the council they have received passes containing incorrect information.

"The council is working with its printers to address these problems and make any adjustments on existing passes where necessary."

Basildon Council spokes-man Ray McKay said: "The bus passes were being delivered last week and are continuing to be delivered every day this week."

Graham Newman, South-end Council's senior technician for enterprise, tourism and the environment, said a batch of passes has been posted and people should receive them between now and April 14.

However, not all people who applied were included in the first batch of deliveries.

Castle Point Council is the only authority believed to have delivered the new passes in time for the start of the scheme.