Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon has launched a new campaign for disabled people to be allowed to use their bus passes throughout the day.
At present, with a few exceptions, they are prevented from using their bus passes before 9am in North Yorkshire.
Tom raised this topic in Parliament in February, challenging the policy and asking a Minister what they would do about it.
Tom said that the Minister "didn’t seem to understand the question," and talked about vague funding promises.
He said this has "galvanised" him to start a petition on the issue.
Tom said:
“This unfair and discriminatory practice must be reversed.
"There’s a reason that disabled people get bus passes – to help them get around, live their lives and contribute to society.
"There’s no good reason for throttling their lives with a policy like this."
The issue was originally brought to Tom’s attention following a panel discussion with Disability Action Yorkshire, a local charity focussed on empowering disabled individuals.
In response to the lack of a proper Government response, and concerned about the impacts of the policy, Tom Gordon MP has launched a petition for the policy to be reversed.
It would allow disabled people free travel throughout the day using their pass, rather than just at off-peak times.
He added:
"The Government must act to help disabled people live fair lives. Free bus passes make disabled people’s lives easier and cheaper.
"They already face additional costs in their lives, and there’s no good reason to limit free public transport to certain times of the day.
"It’s a fundamentally discriminatory policy that tells disabled people they’re less important.
"“I want to see a fair society, where everyone is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
"This current practice is wrong and damaging. We need to see action to reverse it, and that’s why I’ve launched this petition.”
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