Voluntary organisations across Basingstoke have issued dire warnings to county bosses considering killing off travel tokens.
Hampshire County Council is meeting tomorrow (Friday) to forge a uniform travel scheme across the county.
If the scheme is given the green light, pensioners in Basingstoke could lose free alternative travel offered by organisations such as Neighbour Care, Dial-a-Ride and Shopmobility.
The new scheme would entitle over-60s to free bus travel from 9.30am to 11pm from Monday to Friday and any time at weekends. Disabled pass holders will be eligible for bus travel all day.
Rebecca Kennelly, chief executive of voluntary services in Basingstoke, has written a letter slamming the county council’s plan.
She wrote it on behalf of 11 voluntary organisations in the borough, representing over 5,500 users.
She said: “Those unable to use buses due to disability or lack of rural provision will either have to find additional money themselves or travel less resulting in their further social isolation.”
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council currently offers two forms of concessionary travel for pensioners and disabled residents.
The bus pass scheme provides borough needy residents free bus travel in England between 9.30am and 11pm.
Different from other areas in Hampshire, the borough council also offers travel tokens, which allow residents to use buses, trains, taxis community transport and charities.
In April 2011, Hampshire County Council will take over control of concessionary travel from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
Cllr George Hood said: “The proposal means that Hampshire will likely provide one service across the county – that being the lowest common denominator service.
“Because our council has historically provided a scheme over and above the standard service it will be Basingstoke residents that suffer the most as I believe travel tokens as we know them will be axed.”
Across the borough, over 59 per cent of residents chose travel tokens instead of the bus pass and over 40 per cent live outside the town.
Cllr Hood said: “I’m appalled that the county council are considering doing this.
“For Basingstoke and Deane residents, we have enhanced the bus pass to make journeys on scheduled bus services within the borough at any time of the day and as an alternative we are able to offer travel tokens instead of the national bus pass.”
Cllr Mel Kendal, Hampshire County Council's executive member for environment, said: “It is clear that the existing range of enhancements currently provided by the district authorities across this large and diverse county mean that the transfer of the free bus pass scheme will bring with it many issues.
"It is our duty to establish a scheme that is consistent, effective, fair, and affordable in the current financial climate.”
