Torbay MP Adrian Sanders will tomorrow press the Transport Minister to put an end to the complicated funding structure for the free bus pass, which has seen Torbay Council lose millions of pounds in recent years.
Adrian has been selected to quiz Transport Ministers in the House of Commons on Thursday 17th June for their monthly question time and will argue that the concessionary bus scheme, which provides free travel to pensioners and the disabled, should be administered nationally.
A report published by TAS consultancy before the scheme was introduced highlighted that national administration would save over £30million per year. It would also end the problems with the funding formula that gives local councils the funds to pay for free travel, which has seen many councils such as Torbay lose out.
Adrian said: “As the free bus pass is a national initiative, it only makes sense that it is administered nationally. That this saves money is an added bonus.”
“We have seen so many problems throughout the UK with councils receiving too little money and as in Torbay, not being able to negotiate a good deal for taxpayers.”
Recent Comments