Labour Challenges Time Changes for New Bus Pass

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
At Wednesday’s Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny meeting, members will be debating the call-in by Cllr Godwin, who will be proposing that the original start time of 9.00am be retained for concessionary bus fares.
Currently, the Cabinet wants to restrict the morning start to the statutory minimum of 9.30am.  This will cause difficulties for many bus pass holders, especially those in areas with infrequent bus services.
This is in addition to the new £75 charges for companion passes brought in by the Tory Cabinet.  The Labour Group had moved an amendment at the last Council meeting, proposing to keep the companion passes free, but all Conservative councillors combined to vote it down.
Cllr Godwin, Labour Group Leader and Spokesperson for Regeneration, said,
“We have now reached a stage where the Tories’ mismanagement of the budget has lead them to reduce provision for some of the most vulnerable members of the community.  It is outrageous that they are now charging for companion passes, but to limit services further by cutting times is adding insult to injury.”
“The Tories recognised in their report that this would cause great inconvenience and that the savings would be minimal.  I believe this is a compelling argument not to cut times, but they have pressed ahead regardless.”
“The statutory times are in place to protect pensioners from councils who would seek to offer a very limited service, not to allow an authority to reduce its current provision.  I would hope that this call-in, and the strength of feeling that is evident from the newspapers, would encourage the Tories to think again.  However, as we have seen on many issues, the Tories’ record for ignoring public opinion is as strong as ever.”
ENDS