“Minister must deliver free bus passes for disabled”

Wednesday 25 February 2015

A ministerial promise to give free bus passes to the disabled is being followed up by a States Deputy who says he’ll take it to the States if the minister in charge doesn’t deliver.

Deputy Montfort Tadier is following up on promises made by Deputy Eddie Noel when he got the job of Transport Minister after the October elections.

During the election process for the job, Deputy Noel responded to a call for free bus passes for the disabled saying “Yes, it makes sense; these people do need to have access to public transport which is free.”

He also said that he wanted to see a return of the free Hoppa bus service around town.

And now Deputy Tadier says that he is looking to hold Deputy Noel to the promise on free bus travel for the disabled.

He said: “This should be something that all States Members can support.

“At a time when some disabled people feel they are being threatened with sanctions from Social Security if they do not look for work, it is important that we take proactive measures to help some of the most vulnerable individuals in our island.

“This is an easy and clear way to do that, whilst we wait for a full disability strategy to be brought in.’

“I hope it will not be necessary, but I am preparing a proposition to lodge to the States to accomplish this, if it turns out that the Minister is dragging his heels on his ministerial election pledge.”