Liberal Democrats Welcome Mayor's Backing of Campaign for All-Day Bus Passes for East Riding Pensioners.

An ongoing campaign by the Liberal Democrats to end unfair pensioner pass restrictions across the region has reached a pivotal breakthrough, with Combined Authority Mayor Luke Campbell backing calls for older residents in the East Riding to enjoy the same all-day free travel as those in neighbouring Hull. On Friday 25.9.26, the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) will decide whether to redress the imbalance between the two council areas, with proposals aiming to formalise the standardised all-day access starting from 1st April 2027.
​Building on a National Victory for Disability Bus Pass Holders
East Riding Liberal Democrats have campaigned for removal if the restrictions for a number of years. However, the latest push followes a major national win secured by Liberal Democrat campaigners, who successfully pressured central government into universally scrapping the morning 9:30 am peak-time restriction for disabled bus pass holders across England.
​However, because that national exemption did not automatically extend to age-based passes, older residents remained subject to a patchwork of local council rules. Liberal Democrat representatives warned that leaving the decision to local authority discretion created an arbitrary "postcode lottery" for older travelers living just miles apart.

A Long-Standing Local Battle
​The East Riding Liberal Democrats have championed this issue for many years, repeatedly pushing for fair and equal transport access for older residents. As part of their long-standing campaign, the Liberal Democrats previously raised the with East Riding of Yorkshire Council to remove the peak-time restrictions. However, despite strong community backing, the proposal was not taken forward on cost grounds, leaving East Riding pensioners subject to morning travel charges while nearby neighbors in Hull enjoyed all-day free travel.

​MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice,  Emma Hardy, recently joined calls to end local transport inequalities by aligning East Riding’s bus pass rules with Hull’s.

​Under standard national guidelines, off-peak bus passes cover travel from 9:30 am to 11:00 pm on weekdays, along with full access on weekends and bank holidays. While authorities like Hull City Council and North Lincolnshire chose to scrap morning restrictions entirely, allowing older residents to ride free at any time, East Riding pensioners living right next to Hull remained barred from free early-morning travel simply because of where they lived.

​Rewriting the Rules for Regional Parity
​Cllr Denis Healy, Leader of the ERYC Liberal Democrat Group, warmly welcomed the Mayor’s commitment to align rules across both council areas using devolved regional transport powers:
​"Our national campaign proved that arbitrary travel cutoffs cause genuine harm to vulnerable residents who depend on public transport. Removing time restrictions for disabled pass holders across England was a massive step forward, but we cannot leave older residents behind in a fractured system."
Cllr Healy highlighted how essential early travel access is for the East Riding's ageing population, praising the Mayoral backing as a major win for local advocacy:
​"Every day, older residents tell us about the anxiety of having to reschedule early morning GP appointments, hospital visits, or community commitments just to avoid paying full bus fares before 9:30 am. Having two sets of rules under one Combined Authority made no practical sense."

​"I wholeheartedly welcome Mayor Campbell’s support for this campaign. It is something we have consistently encouraged and fought for over many years, and seeing this move forward demonstrates true, tangible outcomes from the Mayor’s time in office. It brings us so much closer to delivering real fairness and accessibility for every pensioner in the East Riding."

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Councillors Welcome New Affordable Housing Scheme for Bridlington, With Calls to Protect Local Infrastructure

Image
​Local councillors have welcomed new plans to build much-needed affordable homes in Bridlington. However, they are warning that local services, like schools, doctors, and roads, must be improved to support the town's growth. The project is being run directly by East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The proposed site covers 13 acres of farmland off Bempton Lane, just north of Nostell Way. The estate will offer a mix of 1- to 4-bedroom homes. These will be available for both social rent and shared ownership, making it easier for local people to get a place to live. ​ High Demand for Homes ​The council says there is a big shortage of affordable housing in the area. In September 2024, 1,715 households were on the waiting list to live in Bridlington, with 914 of them classed as being in urgent housing need. ​Although new houses have been built in Bridlington over the past few years, very few of them were affordable: ​2019 to 2024: Only 44 new affordable homes were built by devel...
Read more

East Riding Households Urged to Claim Overlooked Council Tax Support Amid Cost-of-Living Pressures

Image
Many households across the East Riding are failing to claim crucial financial assistance that could significantly lower their council tax bills. Individuals on low incomes, those receiving state benefits, part-time workers, the self-employed, and residents who have recently undergone a change in personal circumstances are encouraged to check their eligibility for council tax support. www.eastriding.gov.uk/housing/housing-benefit-and-council-tax-support/helping-you-pay-rent-or-council-tax/council-tax-support/ ​East Riding of Yorkshire Council provides this initiative to alleviate cost-of-living pressures for residents struggling with household bills. Eligibility is determined by individual financial situations, taking into account household income, savings, dependents, and benefit statuses. Crucially, residents do not need to be unemployed or renting to qualify; homeowners and employed individuals may also be entitled to relief. ​Local councillors have emphasised...
Read more

Community Voices Must Be Heard on New “Clean Air” Solar Mega-Project

Image
​The East Riding Liberal Democrats are closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the newly rebranded Clean Air Solar Farm. While we are committed to a greener future and achieving net-zero, we believe that large-scale infrastructure projects must work with our local communities, not be imposed upon them from Whitehall. ​The proposal, a 500MW evolution of the previous "Kingfisher" project, is now being spearheaded by PS Renewables and Ørsted Onshore. Spanning two massive sites near Beverley, Lockington, and Walkington, the scale of this project is undeniable,it aims to power 160,000 homes. However, its classification as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) means the final say rests with the Secretary of State in London, bypassing the local planning control of East Ridingn of Yorkshire Council (ERYC). ​"There is a Limit": Protecting Our Rural Landscape ​The Liberal Democrats have a clear national policy to generate ...
Read more