Daffodil Curtain delays Free Bus Travel Between Wales and England

3.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Apr 2008

The Westminster Government has today followed in Wales' footsteps by rolling out free bus travel for pensioners and disabled people across England.

But whilst both Governments now offer concessionary bus passes within their respective nations, the passes do not allow for free cross-border travel; with Welsh passes being valid only in Wales, English passes only in England and Scottish passes only in Scotland.

Kirsty Williams AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Transport, has renewed her call for the UK Governments to unify their concessionary fares schemes, so that the eligible residents of each nation can travel across the borders for free.

Kirsty said; "This is yet another example of the Plaid-Labour Government's Daffodil Curtain on cross border partnerships with England and a Government putting Nationalistic ideology before individuals' needs and environmental concerns.

"The lack of a unified scheme is particularly difficult for residents in the marches where they may be closer to shops and health services in England but unable to access them by the free public transport they would be entitled to if they were to travel longer distances to Welsh alternatives.

"The Minister for Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones, has said in the past that before the UK Governments would be able to take forward discussions on a unified UK scheme we would have to wait for England to introduce the scheme. This has now happened, so it's time for him and the Westminster Government to get their act together.

"Bus passes are recognised between Northern and Southern Ireland and I see no reason why the same cannot happen here."