Ladyman urges older and disabled people to sign up for free bus travel throughout the country

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Local Labour MP, Steve Ladyman, has welcomed the Government’s decision to extend the free bus travel scheme for older and disabled people from April 1st. From that date, everyone who is disabled or over the age of 60 will be entitled to free off-peak bus travel anywhere in the country.

Stephen Ladyman says;

"The free bus pass scheme is really popular locally, especially since we have two excellent bus systems serving my constituency – the Thanet Loop and the Dover Diamond. Now the Government has listened to what older and disabled people want and is extending free bus travel to those over 60 and those who are disabled in every area of the country.

This means that pass-holders visiting Thanet and Dover can use our buses too, which will help the local tourist trade and people from here can use their pass if they are visiting relatives or on holiday in other areas of the country. You could use your pass to visit Canterbury or when you are in London.

Over 319,000 people in Kent, 35,000 in Thanet and 27,000 in Dover will benefit from this scheme so it will have a big impact on the lives of a lot of local people. If you are not signed up already, get registered now by contacting the Council or, if you need help, calling my office."

Stephen also attacked the attitude of local Tory politicians to the scheme and had harsh words for North Thanet MP Roger Gale.

"Mr Gale attacked the scheme in the Commons because he said Thanet Council had not been given the money they need to fund it. He even implied that tourists visiting Broadstairs would be a drain on local Council tax payers! What nonsense.

Firstly, tourists are a vital part of the Broadstairs economy, something it would seem he wants to undermine. Secondly, Thanet is getting an extra £524,000 to fund this upgrade, it only spent £1,159,000 in total last year on the whole concessionary scheme so it’s getting a 45% uplift and only 4% of people use buses outside their own County. That means even a great attraction like Broadstairs is hardly likely to leave Thanet Council out of pocket.

People forget, the Tories in Government scrapped subsidised travel for older people. Locally, in 1995 Labour councillors in Thanet re-introduced a half price bus pass for older people by cutting their own allowances. It has taken a Labour Government to re-introduce it nationally, and still the Tories are trying to undermine it."

If you are over 60 or registered disabled, live in the South Thanet constituency and want to find out how to get your new bus pass, contact Stephen Ladyman’s office on 01843 852696 or contact Thanet or Dover Council depending on where you live in the constituency.