Cuts to bus services
Published on 11 August 2011 10:30 AM
Commenting on reports in today's media that cuts to local authority budget cuts in Wales could lead to bus service is in Wales being scrapped, Victoria Lloyd, Age Cymru's Director of Influencing and Programme Development says:
"Public transport plays a vitally important role in helping people to maintain independence and wellbeing; ensuring communities are well-connected; and that services, facilities and amenities are accessible to all older people.
"While Age Cymru acknowledges that we are living in harsh economic times, we would be very concerned by any suggestions that key bus services for older people could be axed.
"Older people have told Age Cymru that the concessionary bus travel programme has made a significant difference to the lives of a great many of them by providing a connection to services and amenities in their local areas.
"However, concessionary fares can only do this if the bus services are available.
"Given the difficult financial climate we are living in, it is perhaps more important now than ever to ensure that public transport policies in Wales are delivering best value for public money and that efficiency rather than cutbacks are the order of the day."