Cuts to concessionary coach fares
Transport for All
scheme from 31st October 2011.The scheme allowed...
The Government are cutting the half price coach ticket scheme from 31st October 2011.The scheme allowed national coach companies to offer half price fares to disabled and older passengers.
The cut was announced in the small print of last year’s spending review.
An increase in coach travel prices is yet another blow to disabled and older Londoners who have already seen cuts to the Taxicard scheme this year. Cuts to local services, care packages and benefits are all contributing to make disabled and older people appear to be among the hardest hit.
Shadow transport secretary Maria Eagle said: “The Government has made great play of keeping concessionary passes. Yet thousands who use them as their only means of going on holiday or seeing relatives will have this option taken away.
Major coach transport provider, National Express has written to the Government to ask that they reconsider this decision. They have also written to a number of MPs have said they agree and have written to ministers at the Department for Transport to ask them whether they have considered the potential impact on eligible passengers’ ability to travel.
If you wish to write to your local MP, National Express has written a letter template that you may want to use, simply add your details, print and send.
