Bus passes for disabled people are being extended to allow travel at any time.
A deal between the city council and Brighton and Hove Buses sees the pass extended to allow travel between 4am to 9am on weekdays, in addition to the current 9am-3.59am passes.
The deal is expected to take effect from the start of April.
Members of Brighton and Hove City Council’s Policy and Resources Committee approved the move on Thursday 13 February.
There are currently 7,000 disabled people in the city with concessionary bus passes funded by parking charges
Last year 9.8million concessionary journeys were made in the city by its resident 42,700 bus pass holders.
The 9am start time for bus passes was raised by disabled people at a hustings event during the general election campaign as it prevents people from getting to work, university and college on time.
Campaigner Amy Smith brought the issue to councillors attention through a petition.
She explained i her own position starting work at 9.30am was rare and she had been refused access on a bus at 8.58am before.
Her petition said: “Disabled people work too. Stopping us from boarding the bus is bordering on discrimination assuming disabled people don’t work.”
In response to the change going through she said: “I am delighted to hear about this passing.
“This means disabled bus users have greater independence and can commute alongside everyone else in their rightful place.”
Green councillor Hannah Clare said: “Amy has passionately fought for this.
“She has done fantastic work.”
Labour councillor Clare Moonan shared her admiration for Miss Smith and people with disabilities who she described as overcoming extra hurdles to get around.
She said: “It proven to be a barrier for people who wanted to work.
“Supporting people into work is a real priority because it’s good for them as an individual, for their economic well being, good for their mental health, all the good things that work does for us.”
I didn’t know this was available
So happy to read this. I had an early morning mental health appointment at 9.00am last week. I live in temporary Accomodation IN East Brighton but for continuity of care have remained with West Recovery over at Hove Polyclinic and i had to pay to get on the bus before 9am. In addition I also have groups that i could attend but haven’t due to them starting early. I will now be free too leave my flat at say 8am of i wish and get across town in a reasonable time rather than panicking about being late due to not being able to get a bus until after 9am. This will be a game changer for me
So thanks again to private motorists for funding concessionary bus fares (and uneconomic bus services) in the city. How long before the times extend for concessionary pensioner tickets? And hope the funding for this takes into account reduced parking income from the council’s anti-motorist fixation and upcoming city centre car ban.
Could have just paid for a ticket like everyone else that has to get to work.
Will that was a nasty thing to say,I hope you are never disabled.
Why is that nasty? Amy has a full time managerial position in a highly respected company, why wouldn’t she be able to pay the £2.60 for a bus on days she needs to get one before 9am? Why would being disabled affect her ability to manage her finances the same as everybody else does? Are you implying disabled people are all poor or bad with money Muriel? That’s very condescending of you to be honest.
Will, are you disabled? Do you know what it means to have to go to more doctors appointments (often on early mornings) than seeing friends and family, to spend most of the money you have on therapies not available on the NHS, to be told by doctors and job centre “you are technically unemployable” just because you have mobility issues in your mid 20s and only have enough money to pay for rent. This little time change to the bus pass means so much to us because it means we can finally go out at any time without any restrictions. You should think before making silly comments!
Fantastic news. When does it come into action?
Will the point is we have extra costs that someone without disabilities does not have. It takes us longer to get to places and can cause extra stress to get there.
about time too
i think Disabled Bus pass should be able to use it round the clock
Some of the Deaf communities are widely dispersed and isolated so this is good news for them. It also gives them better job opportunities especially when local jobs may be hard to find.
Please see details from Brighton & Hove Bus Company https://www.buses.co.uk/brighton-hove-area-disabled-concessionary-card-holder-information-0
Thanks Paul. We’ve amended the headline and a line in the story to ensure it’s clear that the changes are to come soon – probably from the start of April – as I can see why some people thought that they might be immediate. Sorry for any confusion.
I totally see the relevance for people like one of the above commenters, who need their bus pass for hospital appointments etc. But if Amy Smith works a full time job in Brighton then she is already better off financially than a lot of people, why can’t she afford the bus to work? The disabled bus pass was only non-applicable before 9am.. if you’re able enough to hold down a full time managerial position that insists you be at work before that time.. you can probably stump up the £2.60 bus fair? I worked in a neighbouring business to Amy, she also drives and has a disabled parking permit, as well as the bus pass. The rest of us struggling to pay rent on a lower wage than her are not given any options.
Hi “hannah” again, Amy here, no I don’t! You are 100% thinking of a different Amy as I don’t drive (I can’t, due to my disability) and my work has no neighbouring building! So…maybe check you’re speaking about the right person next time 🙂