ALTERNATIVE arrangements to the new state bus pass scheme for the elderly are to be investigated by officials in the Ryedale district.

But any decision will not be made until it becomes clear how much the passes are likely to cost the local authority.

The Government scheme comes into force from the beginning of June, and Ryedale District Council is required to provide the bus passes.

Although the legislation allows councils to offer alternative schemes, there is no funding to run more than one.

The current tokens scheme allows pensioners to claim reduced travel on any form of transport they choose, as opposed to the proposed Government scheme which only provides for subsidised bus travel.

In Ryedale, the scheme costs £160,000 each year, and it is estimated that the bus pass scheme is likely to cost the same.

However, no decision can be made on the introduction of alternatives to bus passes, until the council has more details about the cost of the scheme.

It will take several months for the information to be gathered.

If a parallel system of tokens was eventually introduced, each Ryedale resident entitled to a bus pass, would be required to sign a form asking to use the tokens scheme instead.

Council leader Alan Farnaby said: "We need to make sure that any new arrangements are affordable and are not a burden to the council tax payers of the district."