Lib Dems call for bus service subsidy

5.56.05pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 5th Apr 2006

Northampton Borough Council Liberal Democrats have called for the restoration of a subsidy to Northampton Door to Door Service (NDDS), after it emerged the service would lose funding as a result of the government's free off-peak travel scheme for elderly and disabled users.

Leader of NBC Lib Dems, Cllr Tony Woods said: "The news that NDDS would have to put up fares came as a shock to us and it was only yesterday we discovered this was as a result of the extension of the government's existing concessionary fares scheme.

As the name suggests, NDDS provides a door to door service for people who cannot use the public bus service, and has a take up of around 700 regular users, although they estimate they are currently only serving 25% of those who need the service.

The government scheme requires local authorities to offer a minimum 50% concession on bus fares to people aged over 60 or disabled. Despite being reimbursed by the government, the extra cost of extending the scheme has forced the Borough Council to make cuts to non-statutory services, including NDDS.

"Lib Dems welcome free travel for elderly and disabled users, however, the most vulnerable people in the Borough are the losers in this deal as they will now have to pay the full fare, regardless of their personal circumstances.

"While we recognise the good intentions of the government in introducing this scheme, the implications have not been fully considered and it will only serve to further isolate the most vulnerable people in society.

"We have urged the Leader of the Council to reconsider this decision and continue funding NDDS".