Shona met with Transport Minister, Rosie Winterton MP, to celebrate the launch of nationwide free bus travel for pensioners and disabled people.

However, the celebrations were tainted by the news that North East Lincolnshire Council has stabbed their own pensioners in the back by taking away free peak-time travel.

Sadly, this means that pensioners in North East Lincs will not be celebrating with the rest of the country this week. Instead they will now be forced to pay for a service that was previously free of they travel before 9.30am.

Shona said:

'People in North East Lincolnshire are outraged - the reaction has been a mixture of anger, disappointment and a determination to fight this unfair and cruel decision.'

'No other local authority in this area has behaved in the same way. My constituents who live in North Lincs are delighted with the new scheme. Unlike North East Lincolnshire, North Lincs are not imposing any restrictions.'

'The fact is that both councilsl have been given extra funding by the Government to introduce the new scheme - a 37 per cent increase in fact. One council has extended its free provision; the other has slashed funding. They've effectively taken the money given to pensioners and disabled people by the Government - stealing from some of the least well-off people.'

'I've heard various excuses from NE Lincs - the most laughable of which is that because Cleethorpes is a resort it receives more visitors and therefore has to fund more bus travel than other areas. But look at the East Riding - which includes the resort town of Bridlington - for an annual fee of £15, their pensioners will enjoy free peak-time travel.'

'The fact is the council has taken money earmarked for pensioners and is now trying to blame the Government.'

'I have told Transport Minister, Rosie Winterton MP, about local accusations that the restrictions in NE Lincs are the Government's fault. She has said that this accusation is total and utter nonsense. The decision to restrict was taken locally by the Lib Dem council in North East Lincs, aided and abetted by the Tories.'

'I do say Well Done to North Lincolnshire - which Labour won from the Tories in May 2007 - for not having any restrictions in their scheme.'

'If North Lincs can do it, so can NE Lincs. NE Lincs must think again and Bring Back the Bus Pass.'

'I'm encouraging everyone who cares about this issue to make their voices heard. So please join the campaign to Bring Back the Bus Pass.'

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN TO BRING BACK THE BUS PASS

1 Sign the petition.

If you need a copy, please call 01469 574324.

2 Write to Shona with your objections

3 Email Shona with your objections

mcisaacs@parliament.uk

4 Post a comment below

5 Get involved in the campaign - call 01469 574324 if you can help out.

2 April 2008

LIB DEMS STOLE MY BUS PASS - JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TO BRING BACK THE BUS PASS

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