100 signatures reached
To: Hampshire County Council
Stop cuts to Hampshire’s concessionary bus pass: Keep this lifeline for disabled and older people
We, the undersigned, are calling on Hampshire County Council to stop the damaging changes they are making to their Concessionary Travel Scheme. These cuts are removing a lifeline for many disabled and elderly people for very little financial gain.
Hampshire County Council has decided to cut back its Concessionary Travel Scheme. As of 1st April 2025, these changes will:
Hampshire County Council has decided to cut back its Concessionary Travel Scheme. As of 1st April 2025, these changes will:
- remove free travel for a disabled person bus pass holder prior to 9:30am and after 11pm on weekdays;
- remove free travel for a disabled person's companion;
- remove the “infrequent bus service” use before 9:30am for an older person’s bus pass user.
Why is this important?
These cuts will place more barriers in the way of disabled people trying to access work, volunteering, education, training, day centres, social occasions, and much more. The enhancements to the statutory minimum have been a lifeline for many disabled people, granting them much more independence and reducing their financial burden. Please remember that not all disabilities are visible or physical.
The restrictions to the older person’s buss pass will also disproportionately affect those living in Hampshire’s most isolated communities that are already underserved by buses, and who are already struggling with the increasing cost of living.
In the long-term, these cuts will act to worsen the mental health crisis affecting Hampshire's communities by increasing isolation and the financial strain on the most vulnerable people.
The restrictions to the older person’s buss pass will also disproportionately affect those living in Hampshire’s most isolated communities that are already underserved by buses, and who are already struggling with the increasing cost of living.
In the long-term, these cuts will act to worsen the mental health crisis affecting Hampshire's communities by increasing isolation and the financial strain on the most vulnerable people.
This initiative is only saving £75,000 annually, which is a minimal saving in relation to the damaging social, health and environmental effects it will cause consequently. These changes prevent people in Hampshire from the right to 'live safe, healthy and independent lives', as per the county's strategic plan.
We therefore call on Hampshire County Council to immediately stop these changes and maintain the enhancements to its Concessionary Travel Scheme.
