Return Trip for Bus Fare Increase

4.48.08pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 28th Jul 2004

Following a proposal from Borough council Liberal Democrats, proposed increases in bus fares for local pensioners have been put on hold.

Liberal Democrats, unhappy at the decision put forward by Conservative and Labour portfolio holders to increase concessionary fares by 25%, called for the Executive to look again at the decision, in an attempt to persuade them to change their minds. Following a lively debate at last weeks Full Council meeting a majority of councillors agreed that Lib Dems were right to challenge the decision, which will now be put on hold while the Executive considers it again.

Speaking after the meeting Lib Dem Group Leader Michael Headley said:

"It's completely wrong that local pensioners should be targeted as the first stop for raising funds. Many pensioners are struggling as it is. I asked the Executive not to support this decision in the first place. It's bad news for the boroughs pensioners but the rest of us would also be left to pick up the £20,000 tab replacing the existing passes which are valid until 2007.

It's good to see that more councillors saw sense at last nights meeting. We put forward a suggestion that the Executive consider how important this service is, especially with many pensioners living below the poverty line. There were attempts to water down our proposal but in the end we were supported in our attempts to send the decision back to the Executive. Perhaps this time they will think more clearly about the implications of their decisions and heed our concerns."

ENDS