Local Free Bus Travel for Over-60s

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 21st Jun 2005

Liberal Democrats are asking that the Government fully fund Gordon Brown's pledge to give people over 60 free local bus travel. At today's County Council meeting Cllr Anne Purse proposed a motion welcoming the Chancellor's initiative, but asking that the cost of this should not fall on local authorities. This was agreed by all groups, except Labour.

Anne said, "We are very pleased to hear that the Government proposes that all elderly people should travel free; it will encourage bus use in Oxfordshire and so hopefully help reduce congestion and improve air quality, as well as benefiting a lot of our residents. However, neither the District Councils nor the County Council have money to spare to pay for the costs of this scheme and we therefore believe that the Government should provide the money."

Other Liberal Democrats in the county are also asking the same question at their councils. Liberal Democrats on the City Council proposed a similar motion yesterday (Monday), and Vale of White Horse District Council is following suit, with motions to the other Oxfordshire authorities following in July.

For more information please contact:

Cllr Anne Purse 01865 351404