THERE is a proposal going before the next full meeting of Wyre Forest District Council to increase the cost of bus passes by 20 per cent.

I am told this increase is needed to fund the expected increase in the number of passes when men of 60 qualify for a pass under the Transport 2000 Act.

A bus pass does not mean that you have free travel, but that you receive a discount each time you travel.

Many other areas give pensioners completely free travel on the buses. Wyre Forest, at the moment, issues 6,500 passes at a cost of £5 each, bringing in a revenue of £32,500.

Some of this income goes towards the cost of collection, the remaining balance goes to the bus company as a subsidy.

Let us suppose there is a 15 per cent increase in the number of passes issued - with the proposed price increase, this would bring in an extra £12,350 to go to the bus company.

Will this mean that we will have, perhaps, one new bus, which is user-friendly towards pensioners - ie low entry steps, more room per seat and softer springing for a more comfortable ride? I doubt it.

Perhaps it will mean restoration of some of the many services which have been withdrawn, or some buses in the later evening to semi-rural areas? I doubt it.

In fact pensioners are expected to pay 20 per cent more towards a service that is not improving, but deteriorating.

The extra bus passes will mean there will probably be people using the buses who wouldn't normally. This is an increase in revenue for the bus company, as well as the proposed pass increase.

Given this, then the 20 per cent increase is far in excess of what is reasonable.

Current inflation is running at 2.5 per cent maximum. This should be applied to bus passes, as it is applied to pensions.

Come on Wyre Forest District Council, do your sums again, get tough with the bus partnership, give the pensioners something to thank you for.

MIKE SHELLIE

Health Concern county

councillor,

Wilton Avenue

Kidderminster