East Riding Red Bus Pass Success

Driffield Councillors today welcomed the public response to the new “Red Bus Pass” scheme for East Riding residents. The scheme which adds to the already well established “Green Pass” enables East Riding’s senior citizens to travel at a heavily subsidised fare on buses not only within the East Riding geographic area but also to destinations in adjoining authority areas.

 

York, Hull and Scarborough are proving to be particularly popular bus route destinations for East Riding residents. Almost fifteen thousand eligible residents have taken up the East Riding Council’s “Red Pass” scheme.

 

Commenting on the success, Driffield’s Councillor Symon Fraser, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transport said, “The East Riding Council scheme enables Red Pass holders to access travel to areas outside the East Riding at a cost of less than twenty five pence a week. We have tried to balance supporting bus travel without over burdening the East Riding Council Tax payer. The popularity of the scheme is proof of the excellent value it offers to our residents.  Why suffer the expense of running your car, paying through the nose for city parking and fighting the traffic queues when you can go by bus at a minimal cost?”

 

Local Ward Member Councillor Felicity Temple added, “We want to encourage people to try to use bus travel whenever it offers convenient and hassle-free transport.  Our East Riding scheme costs less than it does to park your car in Hull, York or Scarborough and offers older people a really cost effective alternative to driving.  I would encourage those who are eligible to get down to Westgarth with their passport photograph today!”

 

Councillor Jonathan Owen commented, “Bus services to rural settlements continue to face very difficult times, the whole issue of public transport availability to some of our scattered towns and villages remains a major concern and just another example of the way rural residents suffer at the expense of our urban neighbours. Both the free “green pass” scheme and this new “red pass” initiative will play a part in encouraging bus usage and thereby help to sustain rural bus services.”

 

Driffield resident Shirley Franklin remarked, “I have had a Green Bus Pass for more years than I care to remember, this new “Red Pass” lets me travel to the bigger towns and cities outside of the East Riding.   I could get to the hospital if I needed to and of course shop and visit friends.  At twenty five pence a week for free bus travel I consider it money well spent.  I am really pleased that the East Riding Council has set this up for all us older folk in the County.”

 

Red Bus Passes are still available from the Councils’ Customer Service Centres to all residents over sixty years of age. These passes, to enable travel into areas adjoining the East Riding, cost just £10. The Standard East Riding “Green Bus Pass” for travel within the East Riding offers even better value and is free to all eligible residents.