EQUALITY South West, an agency promoting equality and diversity, has accused West Devon Borough Council and some other Devon county authorities of adopting a 'Scrooge' mentality when it comes to charging carers of disabled people for bus travel. It is asking the council to reverse its charging policy for those who provide assistance to the disabled on county buses. Research by the charity has revealed all councils in Somerset, Gloucestershire, Cornwall, Wiltshire and the Bristol area, along with most councils in Dorset, allow carers to travel for free. Paul Dunn, chief executive of Equality South West, is urging the other councils to follow suit. He said: 'This penny-pinching might look good on the balance sheet but it won't look good in the homes of disabled people. 'Many of them, faced with having to find money to pay for a carer to accompany them on the bus, will have no option but to stay at home.  Councils are supposed to provide services for all members of society, not merely those who can afford it.' 'For the sake of minute savings, the "Scrooge" councils have chosen to take the other path and as usual, it's the vulnerable that will pay the price.'   A spokesman for Devon County Council said that it has no input on the decisions as it is up to each district or borough council to decide. Sandra Hawkins for West Devon Borough Council said: 'We can confirm that West Devon are operating the Government scheme, in accordance with the Government's regulations which do not provide for disabled peoples' companion carers to travel free.' Andy Lyle, the manager of Tavistock Area Support Services, told the Times that the carers of their clients who use their transport and 'Ring and Ride' scheme are not charged to use their services.