Free travel for pass holders

10:17pm Monday 4th February 2008

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A new deal for concessionary travel pass holders has been brokered in the Borough of Wyre.

As from April, a Wyre pass holder will be able to travel free of charge on any local bus service anywhere in England.

In addition, Wyre residents will be able to travel free of charge on trams - in both Wyre and Blackpool Borough areas.

This is an improvement on the old rule which meant Wyre residents had to pay 50p while travelling on a tram inside the Blackpool boundary.

And Wyre residents will be able to travel free of charge on the Fleetwood Knott End ferry service.

However, none of these concessions apply before 9.30am because that is a time when the majority of travellers are commuters on the way to work.

Councillor Russell Forsyth, Leader of the Council, gave details at last night's meeting of Wyre Borough Council on Thursday 31 Jan.

He said the deal had been agreed following discussions with both Lancashire County Council and other local councils in the county.

He said: "There were concerns that some of these concessions could be removed to save money. However, although we still face a heavy financial burden we have managed to retain them."

Concessionary passes are available to men and women aged 60 and above and to younger people who are disabled.

There are now 22,000 pass holders in Wyre - two thirds of the Borough's older population.