Catherine Perschke told parish councillors there was an anomaly over the times the special fares operated and some older and disabled passengers from Petworth were not able to take advantage of free journeys on the few buses available to them.

She put in a plea for Chichester district councillor Janet Duncton to take up the case on their behalf.

Cllr Duncton told the meeting that Chichester District Council (CDC) had joined forces with other councils in East and West Sussex to agree a common approach to the new concessionary bus fare scheme.

"We worked together with the rest of the councils and agreed to issue bus passes from 9.30am. However three councils reneged on the agreement and went back to 9am. This means Petworth passengers are being disadvantaged."

She said they were not able to take advantage of free rides on the 9.15am bus to Chichester or buses leaving before 9.30am to Billingshurst.

She assured councillors: "This has already been brought to me. We are hoping to do something about it, it is in hand."

The new national concessionary bus fare scheme came into effect on April 1, providing free off-peak bus travel on any registered bus route in England.

It has extended the free travel already available to residents under the old Countycard Scheme.

Previously, pass holders were able to claim free travel on journeys only which started or ended in East and West Sussex. But under the new scheme they will be able to travel free on buses anywhere in England. Residents are eligible for a pass is they are aged 60 or over, or eligible disabled.

Under the previous 'Sussex Countycard' system, local authorities in East and West Sussex formed a consortium to agree a common local approach, offering enhancements to the scheme, which included travel starting at the same time – 9am – in each area.

A spokesman for CDC told the Observer: "The new government scheme requires local authorities to provide off-peak travel between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays, and all day on weekends and bank holidays.

"Local authorities have the option to extend this to include other enhancements, such as free travel for companions of the disabled, or amended travel times."

She said the Chichester District Council executive board agreed the scheme would offer travel from 9.30am, with continued free travel for companions of the disabled.

"Any change to this would have to be considered and resolved by the executive board."