Bay MP Seeks End to Bus Pass Fiasco

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders will

tomorrow press the Transport Minister to put an end to the complicated funding

structure for the free bus pass, which has seen Torbay Council lose millions of

pounds in recent years.

Adrian has been selected to quiz Transport

Ministers in the House of Commons on Thursday 17th June for their monthly question time

and will argue that the concessionary bus scheme, which provides free travel to

pensioners and the disabled, should be administered nationally.

A report published by TAS

consultancy before the scheme was introduced highlighted that national

administration would save over £30million per year.  It would also end the

problems with the funding formula that gives local councils the funds to pay

for free travel, which has seen many councils such as Torbay lose out.

Adrian said: “As the free bus pass is a

national initiative, it only makes sense that it is administered

nationally.  That this saves money is an added bonus.”

“We have seen so many

problems throughout the UK with councils receiving too little money and as in

Torbay, not being able to negotiate a good deal for taxpayers.”