Bus Pass Targetted For Cuts

Christine McHugh has launched a campaign to persuade the Mayor to re-think his decision to restrict when and where pensioners can travel with their bus pass.

Following discussions at Monday night's Scrutiny committee meeting the Borough will have the most restrictive concessionary scheme in the county, unless the Mayor changes his current decision

After Tory and Labour councillors refused to back Lib Dems in asking the Mayor to reverse his decision, it is now feared the restrictions could be put in place next April. The only chance now relies on the Mayor back tracking on his proposal to restrict free bus pass travel to off peak hours within the borough area. Lib Dems have issued a rallying call to pensioners and others to lobby the Mayor to change his mind and provide a scheme that equals what's on offer to pensioners in South and Mid Beds.

Speaking on the issue, Christine McHugh, Deputy Leader of the Lib Dems, said:

"We're getting extra money to provide a free travel scheme in the borough which is good news but the Mayor has used it as an opportunity to introduce restrictions. Lib Dems called in the decision to ask the Mayor to remove this threat. Unfortunately Labour, Tory and Better Bedford councillors opted not to support this. The decision now lies in the Mayor's hands but with his original decision being to restrict the time and areas pensioners can travel in I don't hold out much hope. We don't need soft words about negotiations with bus operators we need firm action to give pensioners the right scheme."

"This is a more severe restriction on the area of travel than with the current passes. This could make life very difficult, particularly for pensioners who need to visit friends who live outside of the borough area or who are in hospitals such as the Luton & Dunstable. People who live in some villages would not be able to arrive in Bedford until just before noon."

I am urging everyone concerned about these restriction to let the Mayor know how you feel. If not our pensioners will end up with the worst, most restrictive scheme in the county."

ENDS