'Buses are a lifeline for some - we need a network that serves users, current and future' - reader's letter
Barbara Masters welcomes the news that the news bus passes for disabled people will no longer be limited on weekdays to between 9.30am to 11pm
This is something that Lib Dems in Westminster have been campaigning on for almost two years as the Bus Services Bill was progressing through Parliament.
Our Harrogate MP, Tom Gordon led on this, tabling an amendment to the bill to remove the time restrictions last September.
Labour voted against, while the Conservatives whipped their MPs to abstain.
Tom pushed on by hosting a roundtable in Parliament which was attended by Andy Burnham.
Soon after he implemented the policy in Manchester. Now as the PM he’s implementing it across England from April next year.
Finally local Labour MPs accept publicly this is a really positive move.
It’s not the first time Labour has voted us down on important issues nationally – and locally – only to change their minds later when it’s been politically expedient to do so.
Or they accepted that we were right all along (stopping money being thrown at the containers on Fargate, bringing in bus franchising, introducing large blue bins - to name some local measures we’ve fought for).
This was a no brainer though.
As Tom stated: “At a time when the cost-of-living is going through the roof, these restrictions place a terrible strain on the finances of disabled people - who already face higher living costs compared to the rest of society.”
I’m a frequent bus user through choice but so many people aren’t fortunate enough to be in this position.
It’s especially true of disabled people for whom buses are a lifeline. They need public transport to access work, healthcare, education and just to have a social life. Access most of us take for granted.
It’s a positive step and we need more if we are to increase bus usage and reduce people’s reliance on cars. It’s for South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard to get us a bus network that serves its users, current and future. This can’t come soon enough.