Transport bosses in West Yorkshire have re-assured people still waiting for new concessionary bus travel passes that they are on their way.

From April 1, pensioners and disabled people can travel for free on any off-peak local bus service in England.

But the Telegraph & Argus has been contacted by several pensioners in the Bradford area who have yet to receive their passes.

Metro - the operating arm of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority - is expecting to issue a total of about 300,000 passes and admitted the task, started last July, had been a huge undertaking.

Elizabeth Gardiner, of Shelf, said: "We were given a set date to fill in the forms for the new passes last year and when we went to the post office they didn't have any.

"We finally managed to get the forms and filled them in last September but since then we have heard nothing. I don't know anyone who has received their pass yet. It seems to me that they have had since September to sort this out and you wouldn't think it would be that difficult to organise sending them out on time."

Another pensioner who contacted the T&A said: "I have been phoning Metro but the line is permanently engaged. I only know one person who has received their pass so far. I applied for my pass last September. What about people who might have booked holidays? I think the passes are a wonderful idea, if we ever get them."

Kieran Preston, Metro director general, said more than 75 per cent of those eligible for the passes should receive them in the next few days.

He said: "When we started the Smile campaign to publicise the new passes back in July of last year, Tuesday's start date for the scheme seemed a long way off but with a 75 per cent success rate confirms our planning was correct.

"If your pass hasn't arrived, don't worry, it's on its way and you will still be able to use your existing Metro Senior, Disabled Person's or Blind Person's Permit until it does come."