NOW that Gordon Brown's 'carrot' to attract the grey vote has left councils with a financial burden perhaps we must face the unthinkable!
I'm referring to the national free buss pass. In order to protect our rural bus services is now the time to consider that the free pass should be redefined to become a reduced price concessionary pass where all holders would pay either a set reduced fare, or a proportion of the full fare, for their journey, with the monies raised passing directly to the councils in order to augment the rural bus subsidies?
I'm, well aware that this will be met by strong opposition from the town and city dwellers, however, these bus services are vital to many villages, (many of which have no shop), for residents to visit doctors and dentists, pharmacies and shops, together with connections further afield for hospital appointments and visiting, railway station and city centre shopping.
The availability of the rural bus service also reflects on the ability for people getting to their employment or even from seeking work.
Rural bus users in the main cannot attend evening cinema, theatre or charity events as the services cease at teatime.
Would a small charge for the use of our passes really break the bank? I have raised this issue with many other pass-holders and they all agree that they would rather contribute than lose their bus services.
The extra revenue raised during the tourist season may also go to reinstate our school buses to allow all rural children who currently rely on the buses to arrive at school not only safely, but also dry and warm in winter, and not too tired from their walk to school along narrow lanes with no footpaths and to participate fully and learn appropriately.
In addition, on a similar note, in order to maintain the services of smaller libraries, would a small charge (say 20p per book), be that unbearable if the alternative would be to lose these facilities?
I await the backlash!
Leonard V Hyde
Dousland