Did you know the first free bus pass scheme in England launched in 1975? That was the year the Queen visited Japan, and the Bay City Rollers were top of the charts. Fittingly, the pass was called the "Free Travel Scheme," which sounds like a 70s prog-rock album.
Also, the longest single bus route in the UK is the X53 in Dorset, stretching 70 miles from Weymouth to Exeter. Under the new rules, you can still ride the whole thing for free—just make sure you board after 9:30 AM, and bring a packed lunch.
