Pensioners who need to get to early hospital appointments or go to work will be able to save money on the buses in the New Year.

The free travel passes for over 60s cannot currently be used before 9.30am - after the morning rush hour.

But from January 2, senior citizens will be able to pay a discounted single fare of £1 if they wish to travel early. The full single fare is £2.40.

It means that those with medical appointments or who simply wish to get to the shops at opening time will save £1.40 each way on the current fare.

Tom Stables, managing director for National Express West Midlands, said: “National Express West Midlands buses are for everyone. So I’m delighted to offer this £1 single fare to our senior citizens. They’ll be available to buy them on our buses in the new year.”

L-R: National Express West Midlands driver allocator Rizwan Rashid, Walsall councillor Richard "Santa" Worrall, Andrea Stanton and Trevor Eames of the West Midlands Pensioners’ Convention

The bus company has worked with Transport for the West Midlands (TfWM) to deliver the saving and follows lobbying from the West Midlands Pensioners Convention.

TfWM boss Roger Lawrence, said: “This is yet another example of how our bus alliance partnership with National Express is helping to keep fares as low as possible and in this case actually reduce them.

“TfWM already provides older and disabled people with free travel after 9.30am on not just buses but also local trams and trains.

“This new £1 single fare will provide an extra helping hand for many older people, especially those on lower incomes, who need to travel by bus earlier in the day.”

Buses in Birmingham city centre. The X51 bus National Express West Midlands Platinum. 09/11/17 Stock pictures bus buses Birmingham mq file Copyright: Birmingham Mail Photographer: Nick Wilkinson...

He added that under the deal there is no extra cost to taxpayers.”

Andrea Stanton of the West Midlands Pensioners’ Convention said: “This is so important for pensioners who have to get to hospital appointments before

9.30 am. You can’t always pick your slot for a hospital appointment or clinic, so this will make those visits so much easier.

“It’ll also help pensioners who help out with family - if you have to get round to take the grandchildren to school, this £1 single fare before 0930 will be perfect.”

It was also pointed out that there are many over 60s who work and could consider ditching the car under the deal.

More than 500,000 pensioners across the region will qualify for the deal.