Plaid Cymru’s Chris Franks and Leanne Wood have welcomed the free bus pass scheme being protected in the Welsh Assembly budget.
The AMs for South Wales Central said the move will benefit more than 600,000 pensioners and disabled people throughout Wales who have come to rely on the initiative to increase their independence and who would lose out without this protection.
Nearly 50,000 people used the service in the last financial year in the Rhondda Cynon Taf county borough alone. The scheme is overseen by Plaid Cymru’s Leader, Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is the Welsh Assembly Government’s Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport.
Ms Wood said: “I know this news will come as a boost to thousands of pensioners and disabled people who benefit from free bus travel in the valleys.
“The free bus pass scheme has brought a new lease of life to many people who would otherwise find it very difficult to get around.
“Plaid Cymru believes that pensioners should be supported and this is one way of doing that because, without access to transport, there is a risk of social isolation, which can lead to a loss of independence and in the long run, that would cost the public purse much more.
“This scheme has been extremely popular and deserves to be protected. Personally speaking, I would like to see it extended to young people not in education or employment.”
Mr Franks said: “I am delighted that Ieuan has fought hard to protect this vitally important provision. Plaid knows that free bus passes are something that pensioners throughout Wales rely on.
“They allow pensioners to retain that all important independence and ensure access to things many of us take for granted, such as going to do some shopping.
“I know that the Deputy First Minister believes passionately in protecting services such as the free bus pass and obviously that is something he will deliver on within the transport portfolio.
“The Tories’ budget plans showed they wanted to see this scrapped but thankfully Ieuan has ensured that is not the case. There will be thousands of pensioners within my region who will be very relieved that Ieuan has protected this service.”
