16 September 2011 – Keith Taylor, Green MEP for Milton Keynes, will meet pensioners and disabled passengers in West Bletchley on Friday to hear how they are campaigning for the restoration of unlimited free bus travel.

Keith’s visit follows the recent decision by Milton Keynes Council to restrict free bus travel for pensioners and the disabled to outside peak times.

Keith Taylor, who sits on the transport committee in the European Parliament, said ‘The council decision is misguided, particularly as many of the routes affected are not over-crowded at peak times. These cuts are a false economy, leading to only meagre savings to the council, but severely disrupting pensioners and disabled peoples’ lives. This is yet another example of how the Government cuts are disproportionally punishing those least to blame for the economic crisis.’

‘Pensioners and those with disabilities are being assaulted by cuts on all sides. It is crucial that they are allowed to lead full and active lives and cuts such as this risk chipping away at those fundamental rights.’

Keith will meet local residents who have gathered over 700 signatures for their petition, which calls for the council to reintroduce unlimited free bus travel. Greens have been active supporting their campaign and have succeeded in getting the Council to debate the issue further at the November meeting of Milton Keynes Council.

photo credit – Flickr hey mr glen