ALL FOUR LAMBETH LABOUR MPs VOTE AGAINST EXPANDING FREE DISABLED BUS TRAVEL

ALL FOUR LAMBETH LABOUR MPs VOTE AGAINST EXPANDING FREE DISABLED BUS TRAVEL

Lambeth Liberal Democrat Councillors said that the four MPs across Lambeth had “failed disabled people” by making it harder for them to get fair and accessible transport.

Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon proposed a New Clause to the Bus Services (No 2) Bill, which would have removed all time restrictions on the use of bus passes for disabled people and had wide cross-party support. All four local MPs – Florence Eshalomi, Helen Hayes, Steve Reed and Bell Ribeiro-Addy – voted against.

Currently, the English National Concessionary Pass may be used only between certain times, unless the local transport authority pays for longer hours or offers other support. TfL does so to a limited extent, bringing the start time back to 9.00am on buses, for instance, from the statutory 9.30am. Tom Gordon’s proposal would have removed all time limits.

Lambeth’s Liberal Democrat Councillors said that the Labour MPs had “turned their back” on disabled people by voting against the move. The party has also called on the Government to scrap their “bus tax” proposal of increasing the bus fare cap from £2 to £3.

Commenting, Cllr Donna Harris, Leader of the Lambeth Liberal Democrat Group, said:

“The Labour Party has failed disabled people in our community. 

“Instead of giving people in often difficult circumstances the opportunity to access the transport they need at the time they need it, local Labour MPs turned their back on them. While TfL provides some additional support, this Lib Dem proposal would have provided Government support for all – whatever the time of day.

“The Government keeps saying they want to help more disabled people into work, but then they won’t even help them access the public transport they need to do so.

“From the bus tax to now voting against giving greater access to transport for disabled people, this Labour Government is failing to deliver the change people are crying out for.”

The vote on the Liberal Democrat amendment can be found here.