Labour proposes a
Calderdale Freedom Pass
Tim Swift, leader of the Labour group on Calderdale Council has written to the Hebden Bridge Web with details of plans to combine the new travel pass for the over-60s with the Passport to Leisure, enabling over-60s to combine travel and sport for free.
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
As most people will be aware from April 2008 everyone over 60 will be entitled to free bus travel in England. Most people in West Yorkshire who qualify have already applied for their new pass (and if you have not yet done so, please contact Metro as soon as possible to make sure you don’t miss out. The number is 0113 245 7676.)
Tim Swift has told us that Labour believes that this is a fantastic opportunity to create a package of entitlements and discounts for older people. They would like to see the new travel pass combined with the Passport to Leisure as the start of creating a single pass for older people.
"We’re calling it the ‘Freedom Pass’ because we want as many older people as possible to have the chance to travel and to take part in leisure, sports and community activities. And we hope that if the scheme is once put in place, we can persuade other organisations – public and private – to take part and increase the number of entitlements offered.
"It’s an idea that is timely, realistic and affordable. A number of other Councils already offer similar schemes – we think it’s time for Calderdale to take action."
The idea is part of Labour’s budget for Calderdale for 2008/9. Labour hopes that the other groups – Conservative and Liberal Democrat – will be interested in the idea and give it support so that it can be agreed and implemented as soon as possible.
If you have any views or comments about the idea, Tim Swift would be pleased to hear from you. You can email him, write via the Town Hall or ring the Labour group office on Halifax 393098.
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