Press Release

11 April 2006

South Cambs Tories Launch Bus Fares Petition

Local people aggrieved at the Government’s new bus fares scheme for the elderly and disabled, which does not enable residents of South Cambridgeshire to travel to their nearest towns, are being invited by local Conservatives to sign a petition that will be taken directly to Westminster.

Andrew Lansley and Jim Paice will be launching the petition with local Conservatives at the Babraham Park and Ride this Thursday at 9 a.m. 

Jim Paice MP said: “Yet again the Government grabbed a headline without thinking it through. Without a town in South Cambs district, pensioners are worse off going to Cambridge than when they paid half price.” Jim will also collect signatures on his website www.telljimpaice.com.

Andrew Lansley MP commented: "I have already written directly to John Prescott asking him to look at this situation again. How can it make sense for pensioners and the disabled to have a free bus pass which doesn't get them into their local town or City?" 

The petition says: "We the undersigned call upon the Government to provide sufficient resources to enable Cambridgeshire councils to provide free bus passes for all people over 60 so that they can travel within Cambridgeshire for free." 

Conservative candidates in the May election will carry the petition with them when canvassing in South Cambridgeshire. 

Vicky Ford, Candidate for Balsham said: "We should be encouraging people to take the ‘green’ alternative but if you leave your car in the park and ride to go into town it costs the elderly nearly twice as much as it did last month."

Simon King, Candidate for the Shelfords said "This is really hurting many of the less well off residents of Shelford. Last month older residents heard they were no longer going to get deductions on their council tax, now their bus pass has been hit!"