Disabled bus pass holders in Dorset are set to travel free at any time of day after the Government agreed to remove weekday morning restrictions, following a campaign backed locally. Disabled bus passes in Dorset will become valid all day after a Government policy change. Disabled pass holders in Dorset currently cannot travel free before 9.30am on weekdays, a rule linked to difficulties reaching work, college, hospital appointments and school drop offs, but the passes will become valid at any time of day. Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, welcomed the decision and said she ha
Disabled bus passes in Dorset will become valid all day after a Government policy change.
Disabled pass holders in Dorset currently cannot travel free before 9.30am on weekdays, a rule linked to difficulties reaching work, college, hospital appointments and school drop offs, but the passes will become valid at any time of day.
Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, welcomed the decision and said she had campaigned for the removal of the 9.30am restriction for many years, after backing an amendment to the Bus Services Act.
She said: “Disabilities don’t start at 9.30, and now neither do disabled bus passes,” adding that bus passes for people with disabilities are a “lifeline” for those unable to use private cars.
The national campaign was led by Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, who said the result followed 2 years of campaigning by disabled people, councillors and campaigners.
The Government adopted the policy while Mr Gordon was preparing for another vote, and the announcement drew recognition from Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Labour mayor David Skaith on the issue.
