From our District Councillor
NEW FARE BUS SCHEME FOR CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND PETERBOROUGH
TRANSPORT CHIEFS from across Cambridgeshire have joined forces to scrap an ill
thought out Government bus pass scheme and replace it with a much fairer
system.
The highly criticised current scheme, set down by Government, has meant people aged 60 or over, as well as those with disabilities, could only travel free in their own district.
Now County, District and City Council chiefs as well as bus operators in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have hammered out a deal to deliver a free countywide scheme - this allows eligible passengers to cross district and city boundaries in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough for free.
Government distributed funding for the scheme to district and city councils rather than a central pot which led to a confusing system and many passengers out of pocket.
Cambridgeshire County Council led the negotiations which has meant Cambridge City, East Cambridgeshire District, Fenland District, Huntingdonshire District, Peterborough City and South Cambridgeshire District Councils have agreed to join forces so bus pass holders can travel for free across their borders.
Despite getting no money from Government for concessionary bus fares the County Council has also agreed to cover any overspend.
This has been made possible because the County Council is on target to meet tough Government targets for increasing passengers on buses which will attract financial rewards.
Bus operators have also played their part in agreeing to financially back the new scheme which is due to be introduced in early October if not sooner.
Transport chiefs and the public have criticised the Government imposed scheme for the confusing way it was financed and brought in. Councillors have listened to the public, including a 10,000 signature petition organized by the Cambridge Evening News, to find a way forward.
All the Councils have agreed to carry on calling for Government to implement a much fairer system when the scheme changes to a national one in 2008.
The new system will mean bus pass holders in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will be able to travel for free across district and city council borders between 9.3Oam and to the last bus, Monday to Friday and all day at the weekend and bank holidays.
Cambridgeshire County Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Services Said: "I would like to applaud the district and city councils and bus operators that have worked with us to introduce this new scheme. I would also like to thank the media for taking on the fight for a better deal for pensioners and continuing to urge Government to implement a much better thought out national scheme. This Government scheme was ill conceived and has made many people worse off.
Improving public transport is vital for Cambridgeshire's future prosperity
And I am pleased we have all worked together to find a much better solution."
John Hill, Chief Executive for East Cambridgeshire District Council, said:
"East Cambridgeshire is one the fastest growing areas in the country and it is extremely important that public transport improvements keep pace. This Government scheme was incredibly confusing and people saw it more of a hindrance than a help. The District Council is committed to improving transport which is why we have worked together with our fellow councils and the bus operators to agree this new scheme."
As this will also include free use of the Cambridge Park and Ride scheme it is certainly good news for the residents of The Swaffhams Ward.