Waterside Changemakers protest Hampshire’s plan to restrict bus passes for disabled and the elderly. Petition hits 500 signatures.
Free rides for disabled people will change. They won’t be free before 9:30 am or after 11 pm. Companions of disabled people will have to pay. The council also plans other cuts. They will remove an exemption for infrequent bus routes. This lets older people ride before 9:30 am. These cuts aim to save £75,000.
Waterside Changemakers started the petition. They say changes will isolate many people, and that independence and well-being will suffer. They plan to give the petition to the council today.
Maria Cooper’s autistic son, Paul, uses the bus to get to work. These cuts will impact Paul. Losing his job would hurt his mental health. He cannot easily talk to strangers, and paying the bus driver would be very hard. A low income makes this worse.
Many disabled people go to colleges or day centers. Their programs start at 9 am, so this hurts them. She claims you don’t suddenly become disabled after 9:30 am.
Patricia Clements is registered blind. The proposed changes will impact her swimming. Swimming is one of her few joys, and it is also good for her mental health and fitness.
She has photophobia, causing pain, and feels disoriented later in the day. She swims early to return home by 10 am. Nobody told her about these rule changes. The £75,000 savings are small, and they will cause distress to disabled people.
Tom Wardle works for Citizens Advice New Forest. He wants the council to rethink plans. Bus passes help disabled and older Hampshire residents. They promote better mental health and independence. The passes help people take part in activities, and also help those living in rural areas get out.
Transport for All backs the petition. Cat Whitehouse stated the changes would hurt people. Work and school travel will become limited, and opportunities will shrink. The government is encouraging more work for disabled people. She said the new plan is counterproductive.
Waterside Changemakers protested a dangerous bus route. They gave a petition to the council, which had 1,250 signatures. The petition urged better services.