Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood has attacked the minority Labour Welsh Government for withdrawing their financial support for a concessionary transport scheme which caters for vulnerable people in the Rhondda valleys and Taff Ely.
TraVol Community Transport has provided free travel since 2006 for the older and disabled people under the scheme which it describes as a “vital lifeline.” The Welsh Government’s financial support will be cut-off at the end of February 2012 for the 5,000 people registered to use this service.
Ms Wood, who represents the South Wales Central region which encompasses the affected areas, said: “These cuts have taken away a much-valued service for people who would otherwise be unable to afford to leave their homes on a day-to-day or even week-to-week basis.
“It is very hard to put a price on what this service means to the clients of TraVol Community Transport and how much upset its withdrawal will cause.
“Everyone understands that cuts have to be made because of the settlement from the Westminster coalition but they should not impact disproportionately on those with the least in society which appears to be the case here.
“I will be raising this matter with the Minister responsible as a matter of urgency because there is not much time before the free transport scheme ceases.”
In a letter sent out to all clients last week, TraVol Community Transport warned of the changes. It read: “We regret to inform you that the Charity has received notification from the Welsh Government that funding under the Concessionary Fares Initiative is to be withdrawn shortly.
“TraVol Community Transport has operated services under the Concessionary Fares Initiative since 2006, providing wheelchair accessible, door-to-door transport, for elderly, infirm, disabled and disadvantaged people who live in Rhondda Fawr, Rhondda Fach and Taf Ely who are in need of our specialised services.
“Whilst we realise that this service is a vital ‘life line’ for many of our clients, the Charity cannot continue to provide this service without grant funding. Consequently, we must inform you that the current ‘free to user’ service will cease at the end of February 2012.”
It added: “The Directors and Senior Management of Travol are currently in discussions with the Corporate Transport Unit of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to try to establish whether it may be possible for the Charity to operate restricted services under the Public Transport Concessionary Fares Scheme.
“However, we feel that it is vitally important for our clients to clearly understand that, regardless of the success of these discussions, service available under this scheme will not provide the degree of access or flexibility as provided under the current scheme.
“We will notify you as soon as possible of any prospective future services, which could be of interest to you. If you would like to let the Welsh Government know how their decision is going to affect you please contact your MP, AM or local Councillor.”
Councillor Pauline Jarman, Plaid Cymru leader on Rhondda Cynon Borough Council said: “I am deeply disappointed that the minority Labour Welsh Government has taken this decision. A number of people have already approached me with their concerns about this withdrawal of funding and the impact it will have.
“I only hope the Labour-controlled RCT council can step in to right the wrongs of their party colleagues in Cardiff Bay.”
