Easing of bus pass restrictions still a hope
PENSIONERS still have hope that the time restrictions on their bus passes will be lifted after a council is being advised to continue to review the scheme.
South Kesteven District Council is the only authority in Lincolnshire not to allow pensioners and disabled people to use their passes before 9.30am.
Officers estimated that the scheme has cost 320,000 less than planned in a report to the communities policy development group meeting yesterday. They proposed using any underspend on other council services and there was no mention of easing the restrictions.
But members of that group are recommending that the cabinet continue to review the scheme until figures for the full year are available.
The national concessionary travel scheme was introduced by the Government last April.
Committee chairman Coun John Nicholson (Con) said the meeting received a presentation by corporate head of finance and customer services Richard Wyles.
Coun Nicholson said: "They did agree with the point being made that you need to have the full figures, how much more than the Government subsidy the scheme is costing.
"You don't know that until you have the full figures over Christmas which we are still waiting for."
Hundreds of people rallied behind the Mercury's campaign calling for free travel before 9.30am in South Kesteven.
The council promised to review the scheme after becoming concerned about the cost.
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Monday 06 February 2012
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