McCarthy – DRD must not axe free travel passes for over 60s

Alliance MLA Kieran McCarthy has called on the Department for Regional Development not to axe the free travel passes for over 60s. His comments follow news that the DRD is facing budget worries in a number of areas. Mr McCarthy proposed a motion in the Assembly on 17th September 2007 calling for over 60s to get free travel passes.

Kieran McCarthy MLA said: “The DRD must not axe this travel scheme which has just come into effect. It would be diabolical and completely outrageous for them to reconsider it. The motion that I had in the Assembly last year calling for these passes was passed unopposed as it was seen as a way of bringing equality amongst men and women as to when they could get free travel.

“We should be encouraging people to use public transport, and not putting people off from using it.

“In June this year Connor Murphy in a written question said that his Department had anticipated and prepared for fuel prices rises, but yet they are having to make cut backs due the increased price of fuel.

“With major road congestion we should be investing in public transport and not making cutbacks.

“Many elderly people will only be able to get out and about due to free public travel, but this extremely bad news for those who would have benefited from it.”

ENDS

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