Waterside Changemakers petition calling on Hampshire County Council to rescind plans to restrict bus passes for disabled and elderly hits 500 in a week
A PETITION over controversial new restrictions on bus passes for the disabled and elderly has hit 500 signatures in a week.
Campaigners have hit out at Hampshire County Council’s proposals, set to come into effect on 1st April, which includes removing free travel for disabled bus pass holders before 9.30am and after 11pm on weekdays, and companions of disabled pass holders no longer being free of charge.
The cash-strapped council also plans to remove the infrequent bus service exemption, which allows older pass holders to travel before 9.30am in areas with limited bus services, resulting in total savings of £75,000.
Waterside Changemakers launched the petition to highlight how the changes will isolate disabled and older people, saying it will also undermine their independence and wellbeing.
They plan to deliver the petition to HCC’s Winchester headquarters today (Thursday).
Group member Maria Cooper explained the cuts would impact her autistic son Paul, who uses his bus pass to travel to work: “Going out to work has absolutely been his lifeline. If he has to give up his job because of this, it would be so devastating for his mental health.”
“She added: “Because of his autism, he can’t communicate with strangers like bus drivers and he can’t even pay the driver. Living on a low income, this will really hurt his finances too.
“There are so many disabled people in our community who go to day centres and colleges where they start at 9am who would suffer if they can’t use their bus pass. You don’t start being disabled at 9.30am.”
Patricia Clements, who is registered blind, said the changes would affect her trips to a local swimming pool – which she described as “one of the few joys I get in the world”.
She added: “Not only does it keep me fit, but also is good for my mental wellbeing.
“I have photophobia which causes great pain and discomfort [and] I get very disoriented travelling around later in the day, hence I swim early in the morning to get home by just after 10am.”
She added: “There has been absolutely no direct communication of these changes, even though they’re going to affect so many people. The £75,000 saving is just a drop in the ocean in comparison with the savings they’re trying to make, and the distress it will cause the disabled community at large.”
Campaigns manager for Citizens Advice New Forest, Tom Wardle, said the charity would be writing to the council to urge them to rethink the proposals: “Hampshire’s bus pass enhancements have been hugely beneficial for disabled people and elderly people, improving mental health, independence, finances, and empowering people to participate actively in their communities.
“The scheme has helped many elderly people to get out of the house, too, which is particularly important in a county as rural as Hampshire.”
The petition is backed by disabled-led transport group, Transport for All. Spokesperson Cat Whitehouse said limiting the bus passes would “harm disabled people in Hampshire, limit travel to work and education, and reduce opportunities at a time when the government is encouraging more disabled people to try and find work.
She added: “It's counterproductive.”
As reported in the A&T, the Waterside Changemakers recently formed a ‘walking bus’ to highlight the dangerous route they have to take to reach the nearest stop due to Bluestar’s irregular bus service. They also delivered a 1,250-name petition to Hampshire County Council urging for improvements.
