<< back
7 December 2006
‘Free Off Peak Nationwide Bus Travel for Pensioners and Disabled People will make a Real Difference to Burnley’ Says Kitty Ussher MP
Kitty Ussher has welcomed Labour’s Concessionary Bus Travel Bill launched this week at a special event in Downing Street attended by Tony Blair and Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander. The bill will provide free off-peak bus travel for pensioners and disabled people.
Speaking after the event
Kitty said:
‘Up to now, concessionary bus travel has been restricted to the boundaries of local authorities. Of course this was great if you only travelled in Burnley but if you wanted to travel to Blackburn or Preston the pass wasn’t valid - nor was the pass practical or flexible if you lived on an authority boundary. That is why I whole heartedly welcome the new Bill which will make the old boundaries irrelevant and allow pensioners and disabled people free off peak travel –if they wanted, they could even to travel to Cornwall!’
The Bill was promised in the 2006 Budget and the proposed national scheme means the Government will provide funding of up to £250 million a year to enable around 11 million older and disabled people to take advantage of free off peak bus travel.
This is in addition to the £350 million that the Government provided in 2006 to enable the change from a half-fare waiver on local bus travel within their local area to a full waiver from 1 April this year.
The Bill guarantees free bus travel in England for those eligible from 9.30am until 11pm on weekdays and all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays.
Kitty Said:
‘Since I became Burnley’s MP I have continually campaigned for better transport links because I think that Burnley could be better connected with neighbouring towns and cities – particularly Manchester and I think this new Bill will help in that process. From the letters I receive I am acutely aware that we need a better regional bus services and if more people travel then it increases the pressure on private bus companies to improve the service and reach of their network.’
‘Of course, I am delighted that offering free travel will help improve the freedom and mobility of pensioners, and help those on lower incomes in Burnley the most, but I think the Bill also offers a safer and greener option to those still using their cars. I know a lot of people that don’t relish driving from say Burnley to Preston in winter when it is often dark, cold and wet so I hope that that the new Bill will encourage more people onto public transport .’
<< back
|
