Paul Rowen MP's Letter from Parliament
Last week I was leading for the Liberal Democrats on the Concessionary Bus Fares Bill. This law was promised by the Chancellor Gordon Brown last year and extends concessionary bus passes to a nationwide scheme. I broadly welcomed it. It will mean for example that someone visiting their daughter in Scarborough or London would be able to use the buses there free. There are some concerns however, it does not extend to community transport or the dial a ride scheme that currently operates in Deeplish and for which people have to pay 50p. Other anomalies include real concerns that Councils are fully reimbursed for the cost (important in towns like Blackpool who have many visitors) and the fact that carers and people suffering from mental disabilities are excluded. I will be tabling amendments during the committee stage of the bill to deal with these.
