GRAVESHAM’S Labour leader has criticised Kent County Council (KCC) for ending free early morning bus travel for pensioners.

KCC has axed the subsidy it paid to bus companies to allow pensioners to use their free weekday travel pass from 9am.

This means pensioners in Kent will now only be able to travel for free from 9.30am, which is the start time of the national bus pass scheme.

Leader of the Gravesham Labour party, Councillor John Burden, says this will cause “financial hardship” for the elderly.

Cllr Burden, who represents the Northfleet South ward, said: “This cut to the availability of the pass will cause difficulty, and in some cases financial hardship, to pensioners who need to get to hospital appointments, etc.

“For example, most pensioners in the borough cannot get to Darent Valley hospital for a morning appointment if they are unable to use the buses until after 9.30am.

“Instead, they will have to pay the full fare to get an earlier bus, which many pensioners cannot afford.”

Cllr Burden added: “I appreciate that, owing to a reduction in government grant, the council has to make economies, but it is grossly unfair to penalise pensioners to achieve its financial targets.”

A KCC spokesman said: “From 1 April this year Kent County Council will take over administration of the Concessionary Travel Scheme, which provides free local bus travel for elderly and disabled people, from Kent’s district and borough councils. Government funding for the scheme will be reduced at the same time, meaning that we will receive less money to pay for the scheme than the districts have had in the past.

“As a result we will now operate the national standard scheme, from 09.30 to 23.00 Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on bank holidays. For the past three years the scheme allowed pass holders to travel from 09.00 on weekdays.”

Will the end of free bus travel from 9am affect you? Call the newsroom on 01689 5726.