Travel Passes (Lancashire)

Petitions – in the House of Commons at 11:55 pm on 20 July 2009.

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Photo of Rosie Cooper Rosie Cooper Labour, West Lancashire 11:55, 20 July 2009

Despite West Lancashire borough council being a net gainer in the Government's concessionary transport scheme, older people and the disabled in my constituency are forced to choose between free bus travel and a discounted rail card, while their neighbours in Liverpool and Manchester have free bus and rail travel. To that end, I bring a petition to the House of Commons from the residents of West Lancashire and others. It states:

The Petition of residents of West Lancashire, and others,

Declares that the current arrangements of West Lancashire District Council force disabled people and those over sixty years of age to choose between a national off-peak bus pass and a discounted rail card; further declares that asking people to make a choice between these two items is not acceptable; and believes that local passholders should get a better deal, like their neighbours in Wigan and Southport.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Secretary of State for Transport to do all in his power to ensure that West Lancashire District Council changes its arrangements so that disabled people and those of sixty years of age are entitled to both a national off-peak bus pass and a discounted national rail card.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P000399]

A

The SoS for DfT can use the Railways Act of 2005 to fund the off-peak rail concession to West Lancashire Over60s/disabled, since he has the power to give financial assistance for any railway purpoes, see below. Part 2: Public Sector Funding Authorities for Railways; Section 12. The Act provides a power for the Secretary of State to give financial assistance for any railway purpose. So Merseytravel doesn't need to charge West Lancashire Borough Council or Lancashire County Council to include us in the Merseytravel off-peak travel concession. The Act allows for Financial assistance etc. from the Secretary of State .(1) The Secretary of State may provide, or agree to provide, financial assistance to any person—. (a) for the purpose of securing the provision, improvement or development of railway services or railway assets; or . (b) for any other purpose relating to...

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