Concessionary bus travel extension
Soon our older and disabled residents will have improved access to
free off-peak local bus travel. This will impact something like eleven million people nationally.
Additional funding of £212 million will be provided, of which Castle
Point attracts £209,000 for 2008/09 (£214,000 for 2009/10 and £219,000 for 2010/11).
Castle Point Labour Party believes this provides a double bonus. Older
citizens and the disabled will be enabled to travel more freely, and this will encourage some out of their cars, somewhat
lessening the pressures on the already crowded roads locally.
Julian Ware-Lane, Parliamentary Candidate believes that many in Castle
Point will take advantage of this: "My experience tells me this is popular locally. Some would have been put off by cost of
travelling beyond the borders of Castle Point – this will no longer be a barrier."
Up till now the concessionary fares only applied within each local
authority area. With the ability to traverse such boundaries from April onwards this will open up a world of opportunity.
Councillor Brian Wilson said that he had heard rumblings about cost. "The generous Government allocation, together with
the refusal to set this year the 5% increase which they are proposing for next year (the year of the County Elections) leaves
the Council with no excuses. Their penny-pinching attitude will not wash – let's give our disabled and older citizens
the freedom to travel."
This much-vaunted initiative will be a wonderful boost to some of the most vulnerable members of
society, and a tremendous boon for the inclusion agenda.
