Proposals to axe free travel for pensioners on park and ride buses look set to begin from April.

Essex County Council wants to implement changes which will see a return trip to the town centre for those with older people’s bus passes cost £1.50 per person.

All concessionary pass holders travel for free after 9am under current rules.

County Hall said the concessionary fares scheme at park and rides across Essex costs it around £594,000 last year to subsidise.

Under the proposals, which have been recommended for approval, people with disability passes would also be expected to pay £1.50 if they travel before 9am.

Essex County Council consulted on the plans last year. There were 1,494 responses and 65 per cent of people said they would stop using the service if the new fares were introduced.

In total, 73 per cent of people surveyed disagreed with the proposals.

Those consulted said they would instead visit a retail park or go to another town.

A report set to go before the council’s cabinet next week said: “It is clear there is opposition to the proposals and 65 per cent of respondents said they will stop using the park and ride if a fare is introduced.

“However, people have acknowledged the convenience and competitive cost of park and ride services compared to the alternative of driving into Chelmsford or Colchester and the deterrent effect of a £1.50 return fare is still likely to be cheaper than the alternatives available to most people.

“For that reason it is considered that in practice most people affected will continue to use the park and ride service.”

The report added there was “no way of knowing” the actual impact of introducing the charges.

But it said: “It is important to note that even if the charges do slightly reduce usage of park and ride, we do not expect the reduction to be large and it is likely to be financially neutral for the council.”

If approved, the new charges will come into effect from April 1. A six month introductory offer enabling two concessionary pass holders travelling together to pay £2 for a return will also be considered.