Campaign to save free early buses
12:19pm Wednesday 20th February 2008
Comments (9)
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to overturn controversial plans to scrap free early morning bus travel for pensioners in Darlington.
Darlington Borough Council is to stop offering the service in a £360,000 cut in the budget for the coming year.
Under the existing system, pensioners and disabled people are entitled to travel for free within the borough.
From April 1, over-60s will be able to travel for free by bus anywhere across England. But the council's new policy means pensioners cannot take advantage of the offer until after 9.30am each day.
Residents living in the Harrowgate Hill area of Darlington have started a petition calling for the idea to be reconsidered.
Conservative ward councillor Gill Cartwright said the council's cabinet committee is obliged to look at the policy again if more than 200 names are collected.
So far, more than 300 people have signed.
"Plenty of people have been complaining about this during our ward surgeries - it is going to be a real problem," she said.
"We decided to print off a couple of copies of a petition and distribute them around the ward.
"We want the cabinet to look at this again.
"Older people need this service for all kinds of things. People with hospital appointments are having to change them to later in the day, which means they end up having to wait a lot longer for their appointment.
"A lot of elderly people go out in the morning, because they prefer to go out before it gets dark."
Coun Cartwright added that councillors should consider allowing pensioners free travel before 9.30am if they can prove they are visiting the doctor by producing an appointment card.
The petition has been handed to council leader John Williams.
A council spokeswoman said: "We have received Coun Cartwright's petition.
"We appreciate that there is some confusion about the new scheme and so we will be holding a special Talking Together event next month to answer people's questions and concerns.
"Local health services will be prepared to arrange or rearrange appointments after 9.30am where necessary. People with bus passes can, of course, pay to use services before 9.30am and if their return journey is after 9.30am, this part of the trip will be free."
Your Say YourThe Northern Echo
Brian, Darlington says...
6:23pm Wed 20 Feb 08
Gillian, darlington says...
8:01am Thu 21 Feb 08
Gill Cartwright, Harrowgate Hill says...
5:14pm Thu 21 Feb 08
I would like to point out that it was these people who were the catalyst for the campaign to begin
I would also like to thank everyone for the support that we have received since the Echo article from residents across the town and from organisations
I would like to respond to comments about the extra costs to the tax payer. The "estimated" savings of £300,000 are exactly just that estimated and based on current travel patterns. Approx 10% of concessionary passes are used before 9.30am currently. Most pass holders that we have have spoken to state that they will, where possible, delay their travelling until after 9.30am. As payment is made to the bus company per trip, the council will therefore, not make a saving. As a consequence there may be a demand for travel by passholders after 9.30am leading to capacity problems on some journeys.
Whilst the news is welcomed that local health services will be prepared to arrange later appointments, i know that operationally this is not always possible. In an age where the NHS through the Government are encouraging "patient choice" this seems like a contradictory move. You can choose as long as it is after 9.30am! Thats not a choice
Finally, i have been contacted by passholders who are still working and have to be at work before 9.30am. This is going to mean that they have to now pay for their travel. Penalised because they choose to remain working offering a valuable contribution of experience to the workforce
Your support is welcomed, the people are the driving force behind this campaign
dave adams, darlington says...
7:04am Fri 22 Feb 08
Mike Cartwright, Harrowgate Hill, Darlington says...
11:52am Fri 22 Feb 08
I do recall speaking to you as you waited to speak to Mark Burton who was unfortunately late for his Ward surgery.
I recall also explaining the disatisfaction that some residents had expressed to us regarding the "bus pass" situation.
I'm not sure how mine and Marks explanation could have differed greatly, but if you wish to discuss further please do not hesitate to email me or give me a ring!
Cllr. Mark Burton, Harrowgate Hill says...
7:29pm Sat 23 Feb 08
harrowgatehill.co.uk
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Alan Macnab, Darlington says...
8:39pm Sat 23 Feb 08
Why should the over 60s be denied the fredom to chose when they can travel? 9.30 a.m. is a strange arbitrary time. Who decided that?
I would willingly pay extra on my Council Tax to enable the over 60s to travel free without any restrictions whatsoever.
Better still, instead of expending hot air in Darlington Town Hall making political points on this issue, why doesn't the Councillors give a lead and devote their attendance allowances to subsiding free transport for the over 60s? No. I thought not.
j.w.harbour, cockerton green says...
7:37pm Tue 18 Mar 08
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mary w, darlington says...
4:30pm Wed 20 Feb 08
Also there are people who need to use the buses to get to work and they should have priority after
all senior citizen have more time....yes they do have doctors and hospital appionments but some provision could be made for this.And YES I am also a senior citizen.