Concessionary bus fare plan welcomed (From Dorset Echo)

Concessionary bus fare plan welcomed

6:30pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News

A PROPOSAL for those with concessionary bus passes to pay a flat rate £1 bus fare before 9.30am has been welcomed by Bridport town councillors.

The Western Area Transport Action Group (WAYTAG) suggested the compromise in response to Dorset County Council’s announcement that keeping free pre-9.30am travel will cost West Dorset £46,000 a year.

As part of the consultation process the town council said it supported paying the cost and keeping the free early morning travel. But at a plans committee meeting councillors welcomed WAYTAG’s compromise – saying it was a good idea if they could get bus companies to agree.

Coun Gillian Summers said: “I support Waytag’s suggestion. I think it is an excellent way forward. The rest of the country has always operated the scheme that concessions didn’t start before 9.30am.”

Coun Sarah Williams said: “We would like to see the concessionary times kept but if not then this is a very good way forward.”