Annette Brooke MP condemns under-funding of concessionary bus fares

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 31st Mar 2008

Ahead of the first day of the national concessionary bus fares scheme it transpires that almost half of the councils have been under-funded for this project. Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole said:

'This is a completely unacceptable situation. The funding formula needs to be reviewed now.

'At a recent debate I had the opportunity to point out the fact that all three of the relevant authorities in my constituency (East Dorset, Poole and Purbeck) are predicting massive shortfalls . For example, Purbeck District Council, which is a small authority that has a total budget of only £6million predicts a shortfall of £123,000. That makes me wonder whether the Government's anticipation of the extra visitor numbers to a wonderful tourist area such as the one I am proud to represent is the same as the predictions made locally.

Annette added:

'I am receiving many letters from constituents from Purbeck and East Dorset who now cannot use their bus passes before 9.30am. In many cases this means they are unable to take certain trips and unable to get to hospital appointments. Buses are infrequent in rural areas and not being allowed to use a bus at 9.10am can mean a very long wait for the next.'