"We need better public transport"

11/01/2008

Two fifths of older people in the UK are not within walking distance of a bank, friends and family or health and social services according to new research launched today (11th January) by Help the Aged. 

 

With seven out of 10 single people aged 65 and over lacking access to a car, the Charity is calling on central and local government to ensure public transport concessions match the needs of all older people.
 
The new national bus pass is being introduced in April 2008 and older people will be able to travel free on local bus services anywhere in England. Help the Aged fully supports the bus pass but warns that some older people simply won’t be able to use buses due to mobility problems or poor local services. As local authorities set their budgets, the Charity is calling on them to provide flexible alternatives to the bus pass such as taxi tokens or dial-a-ride schemes. Without these alternatives a large minority of older people will be left isolated.
 
Alan Burnett, senior policy officer for Help the Aged, says: “Many older people rely heavily on public transport to get out and about – to go shopping, attend appointments and visit family and friends. But we mustn’t forget that buses aren’t the answer for all older people.
 
“In the next couple of months local councils will be setting their budgets. Concerns over funding arrangements mean some are already contemplating cutting back alternative travel concession schemes such as taxi tokens or ‘dial-a-ride’. This will have a direct and negative impact on older people with mobility issues - 45 per cent of those 70 and over have a long term limiting illness. In addition, many older people particularly in rural areas lack a regular bus service.
 
Help the Aged is very concerned that the £212 million earmarked for the national bus pass will not be enough to ensure all older people benefit from travel concessions. This must be addressed so that lack of suitable local transport doesn’t leave people isolated.