The heavily criticised plan to make senior citizens pay for bus journeys during weekday afternoons was born of the need to deal with 'exceptionally difficult financial circumstances'.

Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle says potentially unpopular decisions are being considered to balance the books, although the bus pass proposal has now been incorporated into an ongoing overall review of the service, due to go out to public consultation late in the year.

Mr Quayle accepts the plan should have been properly explained, rather than appearing on notices on the windows of buses.

However, he insists it was based on sound economic reasoning (play audio file):

The plan to make senior citizens pay half-fares on buses between 3.30 and 5.30pm on weekdays was put on hold following a major back-lash, from politicians and members of the public.

At present, weekday bus travel is free for senior citizens, after 9am.