The elderly are in their element — they're hopping on buses everywhere, going to places they would never had dreamed of going and thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Good for them!

Many have taken on a new lease of life in the six months since they were issued with free bus passes, allowing greater travelling freedom.

Not for them sitting at home, twiddling their thumbs and being miserable in front of the fire.

After 9.30am — 9am in some places — they can shut the front door, walk to the bus stop and go almost anywhere they like, without paying a penny.

Of course, there has been a price to pay.

Some councils — Oxford City Council among them — will end the year well over budget, because more elderly people than expected are travelling and Government support for the scheme was not particularly generous.

That needs to be remedied — it is unfair that council taxpayers should be forced to shoulder a substantial part of the cost of a Whitehall-inspired scheme.

There is also evidence that some buses are now so full of pensioners that there is no room for anyone else. That problem can be easily solved by the bus companies with extra services.

Despite the need for some fine-tuning, the scheme has been a winner. A healthy, outgoing and satisfied elderly community is good for society.