Anna Sabine MP wins concessions on bus passes for disabled people

Anna Sabine MP wins concessions on bus passes for disabled people

Anna Sabine MP for Frome and East Somerset appeared on BBC Radio Somerset this morning speaking of her delight at the proposed changes to Diamond Bus Pass use in the WECA area. 

Speaking to Charlie Taylor live this morning, she spoke about the women she met with at SWALLOW in Radstock who were “really the inspiration for the whole campaign” when they told her how they couldn’t use their pass to get to jobs in Bath. “I’m really pleased to hear her on that clip, that’s really lovely. I’m glad she’s so happy” Anna said about Hetty, who was also interviewed on the BBC show about her feelings on the new rules. 

The change has come following an announcement made last week by WECA who have said they are relaxing the rules of the Diamond Bus Pass use which had been restricted to use after 9.30am, meaning disabled bus users and those with learning difficulties such as Hetty, were unable to use it for their morning commute. Anna Sabine MP has previously raised the issue in the press and with councils, as well as writing to the Minister for Local Transport, Simon Lightwood, in the hope of getting what she sees as a simple change which will help users pursuing their independence. 

When asked whether this was an unfair allowance given that in this case, the bus pass users have paid jobs, Anna said:

“...I totally get that, I get the argument, but the thing is here is that people with learning and other disabilities are being given bus passes because it’s recognised that they don’t necessarily have an option to drive. They have other challenges they’re facing in life that might cost them money and I really think anything we can do to support people like Hetty to live independently and work and contribute to society is absolutely fantastic."

Whilst the changes in WECA mark a positive move for those in the region, others in Somerset will not currently be able to enjoy the change, but Anna intends to continue raising awareness on the issue in the hope that such measures can be extended to other areas as well.

“I’ll just have to keep campaigning in Somerset, I really understand that councils are under a large amount of pressure [----] I’m going to work really hard with Somerset to see if we can make some tweaks and changes around the current system.”