Contact/Cyswllt:  Sian Cliff
02920 898342 / sian.cliff@wales.gov.uk

Heather Kidd, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Ludlow and Bridgnorth has teamed up with Mick Bates, Liberal Democrat AM for Montgomeryshire, to try and resolve impasse in free cross border travel on buses for the elderly and disabled.

Heather explains the situation: “In Wales the over 60’s and the disabled have had free bus travel for a number of years. This starts in England too from 1st April. The only problem is nobody in either Government has been talking to one another about what happens in a border area like ours where people regularly travel across the border. As it stands a pensioner in my village – Chirbury – will be able to travel free to Newcastle upon Tyne but have to pay to go shopping a few miles down the road in Welshpool.”

Mick Bates AM has written to Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, urging him to discuss the issue with Westminster colleagues as soon as possible.

“Public transport is vital for the elderly and disabled to access leisure facilities, medical services and shops as well as visit friends and relatives” states Mick. “It is important, particularly for those living in cross border counties, that people should be able to travel cross border without the worry of being caught out by unexpected charges.”

The Deputy First Minister replied that he supports powers contained in the Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007 that would allow reciprocal free travel between England and Wales. Commenting Mick added: “It is important that the matter is resolved before April 1st. The current scheme is simply too complicated and causes needless confusion to passengers and bus operators alike. Free bus travel across the whole of England and Wales for disabled and elderly passengers would end this confusion.”

Heather Kidd, who is on the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Transport Board, added: “It is now up to Westminster to get its act together. We have tried putting pressure through the LGA but it seems that it still a case of ‘mañana’ in London. I have now asked the Lib Dem Transport Spokesman, Norman Baker, to ask a question in the House of Commons about what’s happening and to urge its speedy resolution.”


End / Diwedd