From Malcolm Walters
I attach a link to a petition that had a lot of support on the weekend coach. It has been produced by Leeds CHA and they have asked for support.
You may remember I wrote a little piece in the last newsletter. (see below) However it seems that it's worse than I thought.
Please consider using this template to start your own petition or contact me to add your name to the Bradford CHA petition.
Malcolm Walters
4 William Henry Street
Saltaire BD18 4PP
Telephone:01274 824298
Mobile: 07925187885
email:malcolm.walters@talk21.com
Download Template

Malcolms Article...
Rail travellers have reacted with fury over news that West Yorkshire fares will soar by twice the rate of inflation from January. That‟s about 10%.
However the over 60s will also see the cost of some rail journeys spiral as Metro scraps its 50p flat rate for off-peak concessionary fares leaving us to pay half the new standard fares. This means an increase of over 110%! We already had an increase of 43% last February when the fare went from 35p to 50p. The standard fee for the West Yorkshire area is about £2.20. This means pensioners will on average pay £1.10 for each journey. This means an increase of nearly 150% in just over 12 months!
Do you all remember getting that pension increase to cover the extra cost! I don‟t.
A spokesman for Age UK said: “It is essential that as people age, they can still get out, access local services and travel further afield if they want, as an effective way of preventing loneliness and social isolation among older people. “Public transport therefore needs to be accessible, convenient and affordable.” I couldn‟t agree more.
When research has shown that the active pensioner is fitter as a result of getting out and about the Government makes it more difficult. Research has shown that inactive pensioners cost the NHS more so no real savings are being made…in fact extra costs will result.
Our club uses the train for some of its Saturday and other walks. Although we are about to have this increase it‟s still clearly worth the investment……assuming of course that us pensioners have the extra money! What next? It could be the Bus freebies?
Malcolm Walters