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People housebound as taxi tokens scrapped

INCENSED pensioners say a new travel scheme will leave vulnerable people housebound.

The existing scheme offers travellers the option of a rail pass, bus pass or taxi tokens but from April there will only be a round-the-clock bus pass, leaving people with unused taxi tokens.

Trevor Williams uses the taxi tokens and said he had some left over which he would not be able to use.

The 78-year-old, of Tennyson Road, said: “It does incense me. We have lots of people in Stafford who really need to use taxis. People in rural areas and those who are housebound or invalids who can’t get on buses rely on taxis to get them to places buses don’t go to like the doctors.

“Those people are going to remain housebound.” One partially-sighted man, who didn’t want to be named, said: “We are not complaining about the council taking the tokens off us. What I’m complaining about is we have been given these tokens. Surely we should be able to use the tokens even if it takes us 12 months. We kept them for a rainy day when we can’t afford a taxi. From here to Stone it’s £5 each way.

“I depend on taxis when I can get out.

Surely we should be allowed to spend those we have in our possession.” Mike Maryon, SCC cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Previously two out of Staffordshire’s eight districts offered travel tokens as an option instead of the pass. Many of those getting tokens already receive disability allowances to cover some of the costs of their specialist transport. Tokens have also been open to abuse, with the elicit trading in tokens a real risk. The county council will not reimburse any tokens. This is a matter for the issuing districts to resolve.” A spokesman for SBC said: “The scheme would run throughout the financial year so people would get tokens to use in the 12 months of that year therefore they should all be used by the end of March.

“The taxi tokens were part of the concessionary fare scheme we ran. The funding was removed from us and it will now be run by the county council.”

source: http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/

Author:	captain cab [ Thu Mar 10, 2011 5:47 pm ]
Post subject:	People housebound as taxi tokens scrapped
People housebound as taxi tokens scrapped INCENSED pensioners say a new travel scheme will leave vulnerable people housebound. The existing scheme offers travellers the option of a rail pass, bus pass or taxi tokens but from April there will only be a round-the-clock bus pass, leaving people with unused taxi tokens. Trevor Williams uses the taxi tokens and said he had some left over which he would not be able to use. The 78-year-old, of Tennyson Road, said: “It does incense me. We have lots of people in Stafford who really need to use taxis. People in rural areas and those who are housebound or invalids who can’t get on buses rely on taxis to get them to places buses don’t go to like the doctors. “Those people are going to remain housebound.” One partially-sighted man, who didn’t want to be named, said: “We are not complaining about the council taking the tokens off us. What I’m complaining about is we have been given these tokens. Surely we should be able to use the tokens even if it takes us 12 months. We kept them for a rainy day when we can’t afford a taxi. From here to Stone it’s £5 each way. “I depend on taxis when I can get out. Surely we should be allowed to spend those we have in our possession.” Mike Maryon, SCC cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Previously two out of Staffordshire’s eight districts offered travel tokens as an option instead of the pass. Many of those getting tokens already receive disability allowances to cover some of the costs of their specialist transport. Tokens have also been open to abuse, with the elicit trading in tokens a real risk. The county council will not reimburse any tokens. This is a matter for the issuing districts to resolve.” A spokesman for SBC said: “The scheme would run throughout the financial year so people would get tokens to use in the 12 months of that year therefore they should all be used by the end of March. “The taxi tokens were part of the concessionary fare scheme we ran. The funding was removed from us and it will now be run by the county council.” source: http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/

Author:	grandad [ Thu Mar 10, 2011 6:20 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: People housebound as taxi tokens scrapped
captain cab wrote: We kept them for a rainy day Well it could be pi55ing it down by the weekend so you will be able to use them up.

Author:	wannabeeahack [ Thu Mar 10, 2011 10:32 pm ]
Post subject:
havent these people heard of volunteer car services?

Author:	volvoman [ Sat Mar 12, 2011 6:59 am ]
Post subject:	Re: People housebound as taxi tokens scrapped
captain cab wrote: People housebound as taxi tokens scrapped INCENSED pensioners say a new travel scheme will leave vulnerable people housebound. The existing scheme offers travellers the option of a rail pass, bus pass or taxi tokens but from April there will only be a round-the-clock bus pass, leaving people with unused taxi tokens. Trevor Williams uses the taxi tokens and said he had some left over which he would not be able to use. The 78-year-old, of Tennyson Road, said: “It does incense me. We have lots of people in Stafford who really need to use taxis. People in rural areas and those who are housebound or invalids who can’t get on buses rely on taxis to get them to places buses don’t go to like the doctors. “Those people are going to remain housebound.” One partially-sighted man, who didn’t want to be named, said: “We are not complaining about the council taking the tokens off us. What I’m complaining about is we have been given these tokens. Surely we should be able to use the tokens even if it takes us 12 months. We kept them for a rainy day when we can’t afford a taxi. From here to Stone it’s £5 each way. “I depend on taxis when I can get out. Surely we should be allowed to spend those we have in our possession.” Mike Maryon, SCC cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Previously two out of Staffordshire’s eight districts offered travel tokens as an option instead of the pass. Many of those getting tokens already receive disability allowances to cover some of the costs of their specialist transport. Tokens have also been open to abuse, with the elicit trading in tokens a real risk. The county council will not reimburse any tokens. This is a matter for the issuing districts to resolve.” A spokesman for SBC said: “The scheme would run throughout the financial year so people would get tokens to use in the 12 months of that year therefore they should all be used by the end of March. “The taxi tokens were part of the concessionary fare scheme we ran. The funding was removed from us and it will now be run by the county council.” source: http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/ "Elicit trading", Love it !!!

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