Bus concessions in Lancashire

clipped from www.lep.co.uk Concern over real cost of free bus travel The concessionary bus pass scheme has proved a huge hit with Lancashire pensioners who have been able to travel for free. But high demand from the county's over 60s has caused concern in Red Rose town halls, and some politicians now worry whether their authorities can actually afford to subsidise free travel. Bus companies report increased passenger numbers and there has been a boost in the number of visitors to tourist areas like Lytham, Morecambe and Lancaster, now more accessible for older people. Preston was allocated £590,000 to fund concessionary fares in the city, but senior figures at the town hall claim the total needed could be nearer to £4m.

If the pensioners and disabled had not received their bus passes, those very same busses, which are now full, would be damaging the roads of Lancashire EMPTY.
Stop frightening the old and disabled. If you are getting ready to withdraw this concessionary package, at least have the courage to say so. There were no extra busses commissioned when the concessionary fares were introduced, so why all the haggle now?
Just because the average politician cannot do simple accounts, do not think that the average OAP or disabled person is so inflicted. We all know you rely on the inertia of the electorate, but many passengers on the busses are being forewarned of your duplicity. You used legalese to silence the revolt growing over he abandonment of the L1 service in Blackpool. You will get more than a whimpering reaction if you do not tell the truth about the realities of life with and without bus services.
From the expense claims submitted to Councils by Councillors, it must be gleamed that no councillor uses a bus? Don't give them expenses, make them use the bus and the services may just improve.