McCarthy says hands off free public transport for older people

Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA has said he will keep the pressure on to maintain free public transport for older people following a media report speculating that the SmartPass scheme for 60-64 year-olds could be removed as part of government cutbacks. He said that scrapping the scheme would have a very negative impact on older people and said the public would be deeply concerned at any such move. Kieran McCarthy has been a leading campaigner for free public transport for older people for a number of years.

Kieran McCarthy MLA said: “It would be absolutely scandalous to cut free public transport for older people. I will be monitoring the situation very closely because once cuts start to an initiative like this, others can often follow very quickly.

“People will not put up with harsh cuts like this which could affect older people in such a big way. We worked hard to see the introduction of this scheme and we believe it delivers very significant benefits for those eligible.

“These passes provide a vital lifeline and many people will be affected if this scheme were to be removed.

“I want to tell those who would consider cutting this initiative to keep their hands off, because once cuts start to one element, people will be very concerned that the whole scheme of free public transport for older people may be put at risk.”

ENDS