To mark the introduction of the Concessionary Bus Travel Bill, 10 Downing Street became a scheduled bus destination for the day.
Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander joined the Prime Minister to welcome a group of older and disabled people who arrived outside the famous front door by bus.
Read the transcript for the film below:
Douglas Alexander. Transport Secretary:
Firstly, on behalf of the government, it’s a privilege to welcome you here.
The reason that we are gathered together and that we invited you here was in part to celebrate the beginning of the next process of the concessionary fares, so that in time we will be able to have not just concessionary travel within one small locality but actually right across England.
John Cudworth. Chairman of Ashfield Seniors:
It makes an enormous difference. Think about it. Because the pensions that most of them are on won’t afford them to run a car or to hire a car or things like that, and it’s also expensive. And they’ll be able to travel quite a lot farther.
Douglas Alexander. Transport Secretary:
Two out of three journeys in public transport terms in this country are still made by bus,and that’s often forgotten, so in that sense we’ve been determined to do what we can to assist people and to have the opportunity to use buses in a way that actually works and helps them get around.
David Beman. Bedford Disability Action Group:
And I think this is a fantastic occasion for disabled people. I hope it’s going to help them with their mobility. I just hope, really, what’s going to happen is they’re going to make transport much more accessible to these people. Certainly a good start. It’s the foundation of things to come.
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