Petition launched on travel changes

A petition has been launched against changes to concessionary travel across Cannock Chase.

Cannock Chase Labour Party has launched the petition with County Councillor Susan Woodward at the forefront.

She has branded the reduction to statutory national concessionary fare scheme as "mean-spirited". She is also opposed to the changes which also saw the withdrawal of travel tokens and the introduction of a Dial-a-Ride scheme solely for the use of eligible disabled people.

Councillor Woodward said: "The greatest concern that we are hearing is of the additional costs people are suffering since the reduction of the concessionary fare scheme and the loss of tokens.

"This is a mean-spirited move that hits hardest at older people, particularly those with mobility problems.

"The local scheme was once the envy of others in the area.

"It was an excellent scheme that gave older and disabled people a sense of independence and which was also good for their health and well-being.

"Now these people will have to think twice about whether they can afford to pay the extra travel costs imposed on them or whether they cut their costs elsewhere in food, heating, other necessities, or those little luxuries they should be entitled to."

Cannock Chase MP, Tony Wright, Labour, has also signed in support of the petition.

Cannock Chase councillors decided at their budget-setting full council meeting to cut the budget for concessionary fares to save money.

It now offers statutory minimum English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) bus pass and council spokesman Jamie Summerfield said the decision to put aside £80,000 to fund the start of the Dial-a-Ride was to prevent disabled users losing out.