The headline worries me ... I wonder if this is just too impractical a proposal and too radical.   But then, this country already provides bus travel which is free at the point of use to those over 60 ... increasing to 65 ... years.  So perhaps such radical approaches have a chance.  It's notable with the buses that there's been a boost in people using the services since the "bus pass" came in - and its arguable if this has been the salvation of services because they wouldn't otherwise be used, or the death of some services because of the filling of seats but at a lower rate.   It's certainly changed the financial metrics!