Norwich residents to lose out as Government cuts back on free bus travel

6.01.00pm GMT Tue 23rd Feb 2010

From April, free bus passes will be denied to people on their 60th birthday as a result of government cuts.

Norwich Liberal Democrats will this week highlight changes to the concessionary bus fare scheme that will eventually mean that passengers will have to wait until their 65th birthday to qualify for the pass. As Labour in Norwich promise to extend the scheme's availability from 9:30am to 8:30am, the Lib Dems will say Labour is "giving with one hand and taking with the other".

"This is classic Labour politics." Commented Liberal Democrat Councillor Judith Lubbock. "Locally Labour are trying to position themselves as the champions of free bus travel in Norwich by extending the scheme to 8:30, but nationally Labour is actually cutting the scheme by changing the criteria. They are giving with one hand and taking with the other."

The age-limit for the scheme will rise from this April. The changes mean that somebody in Norwich turning 60 will have to wait an extra month, before qualifying for free travel. The eligibility threshold will be raised by a further month every two months until 2020 when it will be in line with the pensionable age for men and women of 65. It is estimated that next year 92,000 people will be denied the bus pass.

The concessionary bus fare scheme has been popular, but has been dogged with complaints of government underfunding as councils like Norwich have had to deal with a funding shortfall of millions. The latest changes were buried in December's pre-budget report and have not been advertised by the government.

"With Labour you always have to read the small print. They are very keen locally and nationally to promote the 'positive', but they shy away from talking about the details. They buried this in the pre-budget report before Christmas and there are many Norwich residents expecting a free bus pass this year who will be disappointed with having to wait longer. Extending the scheme to 8:30am is a good idea, but Labour need to be honest with residents and tell them the whole story." added Cllr Lubbock

The scheme will be discussed at tonight's council budget meeting at City Hall.