Wolverhampton MP Emma Reynolds getting on board bus pass campaign
Wolverhampton MP Emma Reynolds joined campaigners in the city to highlight the importance of safeguarding the national free bus pass.
Trade Union Congress (TUC) Midlands Pensioners’ Network are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme – which allowed free bus travel for pensioners and eligible disabled people anywhere in the UK.
As part of their #protectthepass campaign, they have been travelling around Midlands towns and cities on buses speaking with residents and shoppers to raise awareness of protecting the pass, investing and expanding the bus services and defending the workforce.
The group arrived at Wolverhampton bus station on the 529 route from Walsall on Wednesday morning – before being joined by Ms Reynolds to raise awareness of the campaign in Queen's Square.
Wolverhampton North East Labour MP Ms Reynolds said: "I am proud of the TUC for running this campaign highlighting the importance of the bus pass.
"I am supporting the campaign because it is not only about keeping the free bus pass, it is about expanding services which we have seen been cut. Around 500 routes have been reduced or cut in the last few years.
"I think the free bus pass does a huge amount of good to ensure pensioners are not isolated in their homes. It gives them the freedom to travel and go anywhere they like – it also benefits the economy as they will be spending money when they are out and about."
Yvonne Washbourne, chairman of TUC Midlands Pensioners' Network, said the bus pass is a "lifeline" to pensioners.
The 67-year-old added: "There will be no point us having the bus passes if we have no buses to ride. There have been 500 routes lost or reduced in England over the last few years.
"We are getting members of the public to sign postcards to send to their local MPs to protect the bus pass and enhance the services. We have been going to all constituencies across the Midlands.
"For me the bus pass is important for social mobility – I can go shopping, go see my friends and spend money in the community. Without my pass I don't go out – I don't see anyone.
"It is their lifeline."
