FREE NATIONAL BUS PASS FOR PEOPLE OVER 60 YEARS

Early day motion 1227, tabled 19 March 2008 by Jim Cousins (Labour). Signed by 64 members.

That this House congratulates the Government on the introduction of a free national bus pass for all people over 60 years living in England; believes that this will enhance the lives of many older people by enabling them to stay active and get out and about in their communities; notes the finding of the Government's national travel survey that 45 per cent. of people over 70 years have difficulty walking and using the bus; further believes that alternative concessions such as dial-a-ride, community transport and travel tokens are vital lifelines to people who cannot use buses, making the difference between maintaining a good quality of life and becoming isolated; and calls on central Government to take every measure possible to encourage local authorities to provide flexible alternative concessions to the bus pass, so that all older people can access a travel concession they can use.

Signatures by party: Labour 44, Liberal Democrat 13, Conservative 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Independent Conservative 1, UUP 1.