Green Party leader Natalie Bennett has criticised the government’s approach to transport policy after a report by the International Longevity Centre thinktank and charity Age UK revealed that a third of British pensioners never use their free bus pass.
She called for HS2 and roadbuilding projects to be scrapped in order to fund investment in local transport.
Bennett said:
“This report shows that while the free bus pass for older people is much-valued and important to many in maintaining community and family links and activity levels, government transport policy is still failing many.
“Investment in reliable, convenient public transport, particularly buses, is vital. It is time the government scrapped expensive vanity projects like HS2 and the endless expansion of major roads, and instead invested in making local transport accessible, reliable, practical and affordable.
“This is particularly vital in rural areas, where people are effectively isolated unless they own a car and more frequent buses with more routes are desperately needed. The services need to be run where they needed, integrated with other forms of transport.
“The Green Party calls for a complete overhaul of our transport system, so that it prioritises pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users over cars and HGVs. This would reduce air pollution, cut our carbon emissions and improve people's health.”