Free Bus Passes in Torrevieja

[Alyson]

Can anyone tell me the actual truth about these bus passes - which everyone on the bus except obvious tourists appear to have?
The Scotswoman who owns the flat I flew out to see but didn't like said that when you own property in Torrevieja, you just take your escritura to wherever issues the passes (the Town Hall?) and they give you one. (No double entendre intended!)
The English guy who is taking care of the flat I intend to buy in La Mata for the couple who own it, said that one has to have reached Retiral Age before one can get one. He reckoned he had to wait till 65 but his wife would get one at 60. I don't think this is right because people I saw with them on the buses were obviously not OAP's.
An Irish couple I met and helped while I was there who have been to Torrevieja on holiday tons of times for yonks said that they had heard you had to have lived there for 6 months!
Anyone know?

[fudgey]

Everyone who has signed on the Padron is entitled to a bus pass no matter what age. When you sign on at the town hall you need your escitura or Spanish rental agreement and a utility bill. You need to take your padron to the bus station between 4 & 7pm think its on a Tuesday may need photo id. If you live outside torrevieja such as Orihuela Costa then not entitled to a bus pass. I know some people who just come on holiday and signed the Padron at the town hall then got a bus pass at the bus station. Hope this helps

[Alyson]

Hi again Fudgey,
As usual, very helpful.
Thank you.
However, can I ask, "What is a Padron?" Please excuse my ignorance.
Do you think that La Mata qualifies or is it classed as outside Torrevieja, like Orijuela Costa?
The guy who is looking after the flat in La Mata for the owners lives on Orijuela Costa, I found out, so that maybe explains why they have to wait till OAP age.

[fudgey]

The Padron ( empadonamiento) is the town hall census. The more people that sign on at the town the more local services we get such as police and more doctors etc. My Godmother has a place in the Torresol building which is near to where you are buying and she has got a bus pass so you should be ok.