Mary welcomes free bus travel for pensioners

Mary Creagh MP visited Arriva Bus Station with Managing Director Phil Stone and Cllr Keith Rhodes to welcome free off-peak bus travel for all pensioners and disabled people.

From 1st April, all pensioners and disabled people will enjoy free travel on off-peak buses using their current bus pass. The Office of Deputy Prime Minister is providing £350 million to cover the cost of this concessionary travel entitlement across the UK.  

Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield, said:

“I am delighted that pensioners and disabled people in Wakefield will be able to travel for free on off-peak buses across our region. Last week’s budget announcement that there will be free nationwide bus travel from 2008 is more good news. I hope that people will leave their cars at home, cut congestion, and take the bus.”

Phil Stone, Managing Director for Arriva Yorkshire, said:

“Arriva is delighted to work with Metro on the introduction of the Government's free travel initiative. This scheme will encourage even more people to use local bus services."

Keith Rhodes, a local councillor and West Yorkshire PTA member for Wakefield, and pensioner, said:

“I welcome this fantastic scheme and I hope that it will allow many more pensioners like me to use local buses.”