ALMOST a fifth of tram passengers are concessionary pass holders, a city council meeting was due to be told today.

Members of the Greater Nottingham Light Rapid Transit Advisory Committee heard 17% of all tram users have the passes which give discounted and free travel.

This is five per cent higher than two years ago.

The meeting ay County Hall, West Bridgford, was told that elderly and disabled city and county residents who qualify for the new free bus pass can also use the tram without paying at certain times.

Nottingham city residents are entitled to free tram travel in the city council area at all times except between 7.30am and 9.30am on weekdays, when they must pay full fare. Disabled travellers are allowed to travel free at all times.

Nottinghamshire pass holders who are over sixty are allowed free travel between 9.30am and 4pm and after 6pm. During the restricted times, they must pay half fare, while disabled people can travel free after 9.30am and pay half fare before this time.

The offer does not apply to concessionary pass holders living outside the city and county.

A spokesman said: "Since the commencement of tram operations in 2004, the number of concessionary fare pass users has risen by 74% and these users now make up more than 17% of total tram passengers (compared to less than 12% two years ago).

"In comparison, the proportion of elderly and disabled people using the bus in Nottingham has increased by 28% since 2004 and this group currently makes up 18% of all bus users."

The meeting was also told the council had received two letters of complaint about the fact that people living outside Notts could not use their free bus pass on the tram.