LABOUR CALLS FOR FAIR ROLL OUT OF FREEDOM BUS PASS SCHEME

The Labour Group at Kent County Council is calling on the Administration to guarantee that the Freedom Bus Pass system is extended across the County with greater priority being given to areas of less prosperity.

In advance of a report to the Tory Cabinet on Monday, Labour’s Regeneration Spokesman, Roger Truelove said:

“We understand the reasons given for locating the pilots in Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury. However, the advantages of such a scheme to places like Thanet and Swale must be self-evident. I know there has been discussion about this in the Swale area and the Swale Youth Forum has called for priority to be given to our area. 

“Sadly I understand that the Cabinet has been advised to concentrate the next phase of the roll-out on the rest of Tonbridge & Malling and Maidstone. I find this very disappointing. It may just be a coincidence but none of the area piloted so far are represented by Labour County Councillors. 

“There’s also the question of cost. The young people on the Swale Youth Forum expressed concern about the £50 cost to be in the Freedom Scheme and they also expressed concern that the scheme is limited to 11-16 year olds and does not include those who are 17 or 18 years old. 

“We also need to be aware that some students in the North West Kent area enjoy the benefits of the Oyster Card Scheme which is a lot less than £50.

“KCC has received some accolades for this scheme and rightly so. However, it must always be the case that when we embark on pilot schemes, we know how the benefits are to be rolled out to the whole county, and so we need to know fairly soon when the scheme is going to go in to other areas of the county.”

For more information, please contact Roger Truelove (01795 425445)