Plans to stop discounts on coach travel for pensioners are “devastating”, according to an Oxfordshire charity.

Older and disabled passengers currently enjoy a 50 per cent discount on coach services like National Express.

But Government cuts mean senior citizens will be charged full adult fares from November 1.

Age UK Oxfordshire chief executive Paul Cann said: “This will have a devastating effect on many older people, for whom coach travel can be a life line in preventing social isolation and keeping mobile.

“With nearly half of villages in Oxfordshire already finding it hard to get access to services, reductions in transport will really limit active and independent living.”

But Stagecoach, which runs the Oxford Tube service, has now announced it will offer a 20 to 25 per cent discount for pensioners.

It will mean they pay the same fare as students and young people.

Spokesman Chris Child said: “We are pleased to be able to continue to offer senior citizens great value travel to London on the Oxford Tube.”

The Oxford Bus Company also runs services from Oxford to London.

Spokesman Phil Ashworth said: “Oxford Bus Company is assessing how it can continue to offer some sort of discount. Details of fares will be released nearer the time.”

Free local travel from Oxford to Lewknor or Hillingdon to London for English National Concessionary pass holders is unaffected.