A councillor has called for a rethink on changes to free bus travel in Lichfield and Burntwood.
Proposals have been drawn up to prevent eligible users from accessing free bus travel before 9.30am.
Councillor Colin Ball, Labour Lichfield District and City Council representative for Curborough ward, said that while he accepted tough decisions needed to be made to balance the books at Staffordshire County Council, a change to free travel rules could impact vulnerable members of the community.
“I appreciate that the county council, along with district and borough councils across the country are really up against it due to all the draconian funding cuts from Tory central government over the past few years as part of their austerity programme,” he said.
“So I understand the need to review funding priorities. However, there are many people who use their passes to get to early morning hospital appointments, or to college and school.
“These people will be out of pocket in future if the Tories go ahead with their plans to end funding for concessionary bus pass travel before 9.30am.”
Cllr Ball said the rethink on school crossing patrols showed that public opinion could influence the Conservative-led council.
He also added that a revision to the bus pass plans could help those who rely on using services.
“I’ve also raised the issue of the likely difficulties facing those who hold concessionary bus passes with Cllr Philip Atkins, leader of the county council,” he said.
“I’ve urged him to consider a small change to the concessionary bus pass proposals. I asked him to agree to fund concessionary bus pass travel for people before 9.30am, if they can provide the bus driver with a letter confirming that they need to travel before then in order to get to an early hospital appointment or to college, school or work for a start at 9am.”
