Mid Worcestershire Liberal Democrats


 Press Release 22nd February 2005

LIB-DEMS BID TO RESTORE TRAVEL TOKENS AT WYCHAVON TODAY
 

Liberal Democrat Councillors will today propose the restoration of Travel Tokens and Car Park Concessions as an option for all pensioners.   The Tokens and Concessions were withdrawn by the Tory administration in last year’s budget.

As the result of last year’s cut, Travel Tokens are now only available for pensioners aged 80 and over.   Car Park Concessions are not available at all.   The Council’s figures show  that 8,000 fewer pensioners are taking up the remaining concession of half price Bus passes.

Our proposal will retain the option of half price Bus passes, and restore Travel Tokens or Car Park Concessions to all pensioners of 60 and over.

We will propose the following Options in Wychavon’s Budget Debate       

  1. A bus pass with entitlement to travel for half fare for all journeys starting or finishing in Worcestershire, including travel into neighbouring counties;
  2. National Transport Tokens to the value of £25 in the urban areas and £40 in the rural areas;
  3. Car parking tickets to   the value of £15  for urban residents and £25 for rural residents. 

Margaret Rowley, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group said “The half price bus pass scheme, although successful in areas where there is adequate public transport, does not meet the needs of large numbers of older people.   With 8000 fewer pensioners taking up the bus pass compared to Travel Tokens and Car Park Concessions, it is clear that the Tories have failed our older people.”

At last year’s Wychavon budget meeting, Lib-Dem councillors presented a petition of over 1000 signatures asking the Council not to cut the Travel Concessions.   Angry pensioners from Pershore, Evesham and Droitwich Spa attended the meeting to try and persuade the Executive Board to stop the Cuts.   But all they got was the taunt from Clive Holt, Finance Cabinet Member, that they were “Rent-a-Mob”!

District and County Councillor Liz Tucker said “This showed how little regard Wychavon’s Tories have for the older people in our community.”