2:58pm Thursday 2nd September 2010
By Melanie Adams
TIME IS running out to have a say on the future of free bus passes in Hampshire.
As control of the free bus pass scheme is handed from district councils to Hampshire County Council, passengers are being urged to help shape the future of the service.
With 193,000 people in the county relying on concessionary passes, any changes could prove controversial.
Council bosses have promised the basic national free bus pass scheme is not under threat but top-ups to the service, which have been funded by district councils in the past, will need to be reviewed.
Responsibility for the scheme, which offers free passes to people over 60 and disabled people between 9.30am and 11pm during the week and at any time at the weekend, will be transferred to Hampshire County Council in April next year.
The previous Government ordered the transfer in the hope of making savings of up to 12.5per cent.
In light of spending cuts and Government funding, it is not clear how much money will be handed out to continue the scheme, so the council wants to hear from passengers about additional benefits they have enjoyed, such as extended hours to the service.
The council will then be able to decide which of those will be affordable and which will have to be scrapped.
Councillor Mel Kendal, executive member for environment, said: “The basic national free bus pass scheme will certainly continue, there has never been any question about that.
“Over the years since free bus passes were introduced, district councils have topped up the funding provided by the Government for the scheme in order to offer additional benefits, variations and alternatives to residents, according to their requirements and needs.
“We are keen to hear what people think about the current statutory scheme and the variations that could be considered depending on the level of funding we receive.
“There is no avoiding the fact that there are difficult choices to be made but we are determined to establish an affordable scheme which is both consistent and fair to all Hampshire’s older and disabled residents.”
The cabinet will agree details of the new scheme in October following the consultation.
To take part call 01962 845077. All views must be submitted by September 13.
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