Transport Committee’s findings on bus services

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK welcomes the Transport Committee's finding on bus services:

'We are delighted with the findings of the Transport Committee and welcome their call for concessionary passes on community transport as well as public buses.

'However there is little point in having a free pass if there are insufficient buses to use. Cuts in local authority subsidies to keep bus routes open will have a huge impact on older people. Free local bus travel is a lifeline for many older and disabled people who use it to get to the GP or hospital appointment, to go shopping and visit friends. Cutting bus routes leads many to lose their only independent access to transport.  Those living in the countryside will be doubly disadvantaged because poor bus provision in rural areas already causes isolation.' 

- ENDS -

Notes to editors

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we").  Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Media contact: Liz Fairweather
Telephone: 020 303 31718
Out of hours: 07071 243243