"Make your views known on bus pass consultation" says Cllr David Kendall
Liberal Democrat County Cllr David Kendall is urging all Bus Pass users in Brentwood to take part in the public consultation on bus passes which is currently being run by Tory-controlled Essex County Council. Responsibility for providing the Bus Pass Scheme is moving from the District and Borough Councils to the County Council from 1st April 2011.
The consultation form can be obtained by phoning the County Council for one on 08457 430 430, from libraries or online (see link below). The consultation runs until 30th September 2010.
The County Council say that to ensure they have the correct structures in place to deal with the change they need to understand how much people value the various elements of their pass or alternative concessions were they are provided. Cllr David Kendall, also the secretary of the Brentwood Bus & Rail Users Association, said:
"I know that many bus pass users will view this consultation with suspicion. They will be concerned that the consultation is going to be used by the County Council to make significant changes to the bus pass scheme and alternative concessions that are currently in operation.
"If the County really want to know people's views then I believe that all the bus pass users across Essex should have been sent individual consultation forms to try and ensure the County Council get as much feedback as possible. Sadly this hasn't happened and I will be demanding to know why. In the meantime I would urge all bus pass users in Brentwood to make their views known".