In the last few hours the government has announced that bus fares in England will be capped at £2.00 from January next year which will continue throughout 2027 and could be funded by a possible income tax cut.
A few years ago the conservative government who were then in power tried this and It had some issues then which is my primary concern this time around.
I said at the time as someone who uses a wheelchair to navigate everyday life as a result of living with Cerebral Palsy and Hydrocephulas that, ” I want to express my deep routed concerns about the £2 bus fare scheme”.
” As someone who has a free bus pass due to my disabilities and regularly used buses pre pandemic I have concerns that our community will be forced to stop using buses as a direct result of the implementation of this scheme”
This is because there will be to many guardians with pushchairs onboard buses leaving drivers with no choice but to leave us at bus stops because there isn’t enough space to take us and our wheelchairs.
I have been left at bus stops across Hereford in the past by drivers because a guardian with a pushchair who is already onboard the bus has refused to fold the pushchair up after being asked to do so by the driver so that I can board.
Hopefully the Prime Minister along with the relevant Ministers at the Department for Transport will consult members of our (the disabled) community before the scheme comes into affect in the new year.
Lessons need to be learned from the last time the cap was introduced otherwise it will not work and become a nightmare.
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It is only right that I take the opportunity to remind all bus passengers to be considerate when travelling by bus towards those in wheelchairs, mobility scooters and those using buggies due to other types of disabilities who may need/ want to use buses when trying to get around.
Your support with this does not go unnoticed and is of course very much appreciated and always will be.
Finally, thank you to each and everyone of you my regular loyal readers and social media followers who continually take the time out of your busy schedules to read my latest posts, it does not go unnoticed and is of course as always very much appreciated.
Cam
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