Free bus scheme may mean cuts in services - Rowen

12.00.00am GMT Tue 24th Jan 2006

Paul Rowen MP, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson

The Liberal Democrats will today lead a debate against recent legislation which enables 100% concessionary fares on buses in England from 1st April 2006 for everyone over the age of sixty. This debate is taking place at the instigation of the Liberal Democrats who 'prayed against' the Statutory Instrument last December.

Although the Liberal Democrats have long supported the policy of free local buses for all pensioners they are using the debate to raise serious concerns with the Government about the way in which the scheme is being introduced.

The Tyne and Wear region is one area which will see substantial cuts from April 1st onwards, with school buses and subsidised bus services facing the axe to help meet the funding shortfall from central Government.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Paul Rowen MP, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson, said:

"What we need is an assurance from Government is that no council or Passenger Transport Authority will lose out financially from implementing this policy. Depending on how many extra trips are generated by free fares and how much the private bus operators increase their adult fares by, many councils could find themselves in a financial mire.

"People living in small unitary authorities will also lose out as the scheme will only apply to that small area, not the whole county. We need a scheme that is fair to all pensioners. I am using this debate to seek answers to a number of questions from the Government. How funding shortfalls will be addressed? What is the likely impact of the scheme on other modes of transport? Just how much taxpayers money will simply end up being transferred into the profits of private bus operators?

"Unless there are adequate answers to these questions from Government Ministers, the Liberal Democrats will not be able to give our support to this legislation. If not, I will be requesting a National Audit investigation into how taxpayers may not be getting best value for money from this scheme."