Disabled Bus Passes to Become 24hr
Disabled bus passes in England will soon be eligible for use at all times of day after extensive campaigning from Lib Dem MP Tom Gordon. Previously, there were time restrictions in man areas, which often prevented disabled people from getting to work or university.
When this matter was originally put before Parliament last year, Labour MPs — including Clive Lewis, the MP for Norwich South — voted against it. However, the government have since decided that this change will take place after all. The prime minister says that it has been ‘good to work with you [Tom Gordon] on this’. Lib Dems are holding the government accountable.
Marlowe North, diversity officer for Norwich Lib Dems, says:
Marlowe North, Diversity Officer for Norwich Lib Dems
“Disabilities don’t start mid-morning, so neither should bus passes. This government talks a lot about getting disabled people into work, but how are people meant to get to a nine-to-five if they can’t travel before half nine? We’re delighted to see this change go through”
See Marlowe talk about what this change means for disabled people on our social media:
We've hidden instagram.com/p/Dcim-imOhyv/ to prevent cookies being set that you haven't consented to. Please enable marketing cookies to see it.
Go to Instagram PostWe've hidden facebook.com/reel/102175198085... to prevent cookies being set that you haven't consented to. Please enable marketing cookies to see it.
Go to Facebook VideoTranscript
0:00
A big win in the news recently.
0:03
It's been announced that disabled bus passes in England will soon be eligible for use at all times of day, where previously there were time restrictions.
0:11
This change was put forward last year by Lib Dem MP Tom Gordon, but at the time was voted down by government MPs: including Clive Lewis, who represents Norwich South.
0:20
Public transport supports disabled people to work, to study, and to engage in social life, and making bus passes 24 hour is a common-sense policy that we're very proud to support.
0:29
It's really wonderful to hear that these harmful, ridiculous time restrictions will be scrapped after all.