POOREST FAMILIES MUST WAIT FOR FREE BUSES

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 10th Sep 2008

I publicly challenge Mr Ferrin to provide the Freedom Pass countywide now!

As recession bites, Kent's children from poorest families are being prevented from using free buses under Kent County Council's Freedom Pass.

When asked by Ian Chittenden, Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Maidstone North East, why the Freedom Pass Scheme couldn't be rolled out across Kent sooner to help families at this difficult time, the Conservative Cabinet Member responsible, Councillor Keith Ferrin blamed the bus companies stating "it is literally not possible for them to go from pilot area Kent wide …. that is the only reason for phasing". But bus companies have denied this with one operator calling the explanation "absolute rubbish"; they were never asked and could bring it forward if they were.

The Pass was designed to provide young people with free bus travel all year round for a one-off charge, but the most deprived parts of Kent, such as Ashford, Dartford & Gravesham, Swale and Thanet, will only be receiving their Passes in 2009, two years after the scheme started. Poorer people were ignored when the pilot areas were chosen and now it appears the delay in a Kent wide scheme is completely without reason.

Ian said 'It seems families missed out on years worth of savings because Councillor Ferrin failed to communicate with Kent's bus companies. I publicly challenge Mr Ferrin to work with them to provide the Freedom Pass countywide now! It would be a great help to families during these hard times."

Additional Information

1. Original Question and Written Answer click on http://www.kent.libdems.org.uk/pages/County-Council-Questions.html

2. Supplementary Question & Answer, including Keith Ferrin quotation, available on the County Council 4 September webcast archive http://www.kent.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/democracy-and-elections/webcasts.htm (See - Index points > 4 Questions > 02.04.06 > Mr I Chittenden and 02.04.36 > Mr K Ferrin)

3. Bus Companies Contacts: Norman Kemp, Nu-Venture email: nuventurecoachesltd@yahoo.co.uk & Roland Eglinton email: Chalkwell Coaches, email: roland@chalkwell.co.uk