Bus charge plan for disabled is scrapped

Staffordshire County Council has backed down over its plan to make disabled people with bus passes pay the full fare before 9.30am after complaints.

Many of those affected were unhappy they would have to pay to get to college or work. Transport bosses said they had "listened to feedback" and ditched the proposals.

However, the cash-strapped council is to press ahead with plans to make older people with passes pay before 9.30am. Bus pass holders will still be able to travel for free after 9.30am.

Helen Fisher, Staffordshire County Council’s transport boss, said: “The vast majority of bus pass holders are older people who travel during the day, so they won’t be affected by the planned changes and will continue to make their free trips as per usual.

“However, during the review, it became clear that a smaller percentage of disabled passengers were using their passes to get to college, training or work on weekdays and would be disproportionately affected by not being able to travel before 9.30am.

“We have listened to what people have said and as a consequence plan to continue to offer pre-9.30am free travel to disabled people who haven’t yet reached retirement age.

“We are also planning to offer some flexibility in exceptional circumstances, to allow all card holders free travel before 9.30am if, for example, there isn’t an alternative bus for several hours. This would be particularly beneficial in more rural areas and would be decided on a case by case basis.

“Although most journeys by card holders will not be affected, we are continuing to work with bus operators to encourage favourable fares for older people who choose to travel by bus before 9.30am on a regular basis.”