Urban transport authority has issued a warning regarding the funding for free bus pass for both disabled and older people. It is reported that by funding there would be expense on other transport services as costs are increasing on the other hand. Passenger transport executive bosses of various areas such as Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Tyne and Wear, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and West Midlands have requested for more funds from the Central Government.
It is hoped that by 2014-15 Government’s bus pass funding will be cut by 27% although there is a rise in the cost of pay. It is thought that the rise in the cost of free bus pass funding would tend to use funds meant for other areas. On the other hand, free bus passes facility for disabled and older people has been of great use and travellers want it to be maintained, said David Wood, Chairman of the group of six transport authorities. He also added that national statutory scheme decided by the National Government at the same time must not threaten services to be extended to the future generation of people including older and disabled people. Withdrawing free bus pass facility for older people to pay for it will however be baseless, he said.