Leading the way on Public Transport

Conservatives have pledged extra funds to protect concessionary bus users in Southampton.

Under the Government’s national scheme concessionary bus users would find themselves barred from using their concessions before 9.30 in the morning. The Conservative Administration felt that this would unfairly penalise bus users who needed to get to hospital or other appointments before 9.30.

We are determined that local bus users don’t lose out because the Government are short changing the city.

Funds will be set aside to pay for an additional concessionary bus travel within Southampton's boundaries. This will include:

- Travel for Southampton pensioners between 9am and midnight within Southampton’s boundaries.
- Travel for all disabled people within the city boundaries including those who miss out under the government’s criteria for the national scheme. This includes all people on Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Companion passes to allow family members and carers to travel for free when accompanying disabled bus users.

The decision follows extensive consultation over recent months on the Conservative’s draft budget proposals for next year.

We have shown over many years that we are leading the way on public transport. We are the only Party who are willing and able to deliver a fair deal for Concessionary bus users. The Conservatives called for free travel for pensioners as far back as 2002.