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MPs' fury over bus jobs threat
BLACKPOOL'S Labour MPs defended the Government's concessionary fares scheme after it was blamed for triggering possible job cuts at Blackpool Transport.
The bus and tram company is faced with reducing services and axing between 60 and 80 drivers’ jobs to plug a 1.3m shortfall in revenue caused by carrying passengers over 60 free.
But Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden and Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Joan Humble say sufficient funding has been provided for the concessionary fares.
Slashed
They are blaming the reimbursement level set by Lancashire County Council, acting on behalf of all the district authorities including Blackpool. It has been slashed by 20 per cent meaning bus companies are now only receiving around 50p as reimbursement for every free trip.
Mrs Humble said: “Both Gordon and I are very concerned at suggestions that Blackpool Transport might look to reduce staff and possibly services, in the light of their projected 1.3m deficit.
“A central reason for this deficit is Conservative controlled Lancashire County Council having slashed money it gives to the concessionary scheme by 20 per cent.”
Mr Marsden added: “Blackpool Transport’s managing director Trevor Roberts has made it absolutely clear to us that it’s this, as well as other factors like losing up to 400,000 through the council’s delayed roadworks, that have caused the problem, not the success of the scheme itself.”
But Blackpool Council leader Coun Peter Callow says the blame lies with the Government. He said: “I’ve written to Transport Minister Paul Clarke demanding a meeting because I don’t want to see these drivers thrown on the scrapheap.
“The concessionary fares scheme is well intentioned, but unless the Government is prepared to fund it properly, it isn’t going to work.”
Blackpool Council has been left with a 646,000 bill, Fylde with a 200,000 shortfall and Wyre with 38,000 to find.
A pooling arrangement between all the district councils unravelled when some councils who were in surplus decided to keep the cash which had not been ring-fenced for concessionary fares.
Mr Marsden said: “We’ve spoken to the Dep-artment of Tra-nsport directly. They have confirmed again the problem is how Lancashire is splitting the total sums it’s given by Government.
“The department is willing to revise the formula. Blackpool Council must press those other Lancashire councils who are making profits from it.
“The council benefits from the substantial dividend it receives every year from Blackpool Transport. It now needs to use some of that money to support key services for the large numbers of older people in areas like Harrowside that would suffer from these cuts.”
Lancashire says it has taken changing circumstances into account when setting the reimbursment rate which covers lost revenue and costs.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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