MP wants wealthy pensioners to pay full fares to save rural bus services

Top Tory Anne McIntosh says the law needs to be changed so senior citizens do not automatically receive concessionary fares.

Writing exclusively in today’s Yorkshire Post ahead of the House of Commons adjournment debate, she adds: “Bus services are vital to my constituents.

“If residents are willing to pay for their much valued service, then surely this must be permitted. What is needed is a change in the current law which would permit concessionary fare passengers to contribute towards their travel.”

The intervention by the chairman of Parliament’s environment select committee comes as North Yorkshire County Council faces a backlash over its plans to reduce bus subsidies by £2m.

Critics fear this could jeopardise the future of some services in remote areas.

Bus passes have proved to be costly in areas like North Yorkshire, where many passengers are entitled to concessionary travel.

“Allowing bus passengers to have a bus pass is of great value but of no avail if bus services are removed,” adds the Thirsk, Malton and Filey MP who was recently de-selected by her local party.

Miss McIntosh’s move, effectively a call for the return of means-testing, comes as the main political parties consider whether OAPs should be stripped of other perks, like free TV licences, as part of the next phase of attempts to reduce the deficit. However, such calls are proving unpopular because pensioners have been among those hardest hit by the slump and squeeze on incomes.

Change is needed: Page 11; Services face squeeze: Page 8.