The MP for Midsomer Norton has welcomed proposed changes to a free bus pass for disabled people.
Anna Sabine MP (Liberal Democrats, Frome and East Somerset) appeared on BBC Radio Somerset to discuss the changes to the Diamond Travelcard, which now allow free access to buses 24/7 for pass holders.
The Diamond Travelcard is available for senior citizens and those with disabilities, but has been limited to off-peak hours.
Ms Sabine spoke about the women she met with at SWALLOW in Radstock, who were “really the inspiration for the whole campaign” when they told her how they couldn’t use their pass to get to jobs in Bath.
She has previously raised the issue in the press and with councils, as well as writing to the minister for local transport.
When asked whether this was an unfair allowance given that in this case, the bus pass users have paid jobs, Ms Sabine said: “I totally get that, I get the argument, but the thing is here is that people with learning and other disabilities are being given bus passes because it’s recognised that they don’t necessarily have an option to drive.
“They have other challenges they’re facing in life that might cost them money and I really think anything we can do to support people to live independently and work and contribute to society is absolutely fantastic.
“I’m going to work really hard with Somerset to see if we can make some tweaks and changes around the current system.”
These adjustments are a part of a range of changes being made by the West of England Combined Authority, which also includes a freeze on children’s bus fares at £1, a one year extension to care leavers’ free bus travel, and a cap the cost of multi-operator day bus tickets of somewhere in the region of £7.
The £1.3 million package will run from April 1 2025 to March 31, 2026, and will be funded by part of the Mayoral Combined Authority’s Bus Grant allocation from the national government.
Dan Norris, mayor of the West of England, said: “As the saying goes, sometimes you can wait ages for a bus and then two come along at once. I’m delighted to announce my support today for not one, not two, not three but four different proposed bus boosts turning up on time in the West of England in just three weeks’ time.
“Frozen fares for children, the extension of free travel for disabled people, an extra year of free travel for care leavers, and a cap for multi-operator day tickets will be great news for people across our region.
“This is only possible thanks to the £13.6 million of Bus Grant funding secured by my Mayoral Combined Authority for the coming financial year from the Government.
“These initiatives, alongside the enormous popularity of Birthday Buses will help keep more money in people’s pockets and help make it that bit easier for local people to get around by bus. That’s better for passengers, better for congestion, and better for our planet.”