At Prime Minister’s Questions, Jonathan Gullis urged the Prime Minister to support his campaign to support the people of Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke with fairer bus fairs.
Under Stoke-on-Trent Labour, residents who have a free bus pass are being denied free travel before 09:30. Jonathan’s campaign seeks to allow for free travel before 09:30 which will help constituents get to work, get to the GP or a hospital appointment.
Jonathan argues that this is is inconvenient for many residents, particularly those who are elderly, as they cannot schedule early appointments, or go shopping earlier in the morning, without having to pay a normal fare.
In the House, Jonathan Gullis said: “Thanks to this Conservative government, the people of Stoke-on-Trent, North Kidsgrove and Talke will see over 200 million pounds to fix our broken roads, the reopening of the Stoke to Leek line and secured over £30 million to ‘bus back better’ by introducing fairer fares and smarter routes to better connect our communities.
However, residents who have a free bus pass are being denied using it before 09:30 a.m. by the Labour run Stoke on Trent Council, meaning that people can't get to their GP appointment or to work. So will the Prime Minister back my campaign to end this unfair policy being imposed upon my residents?”
Responding, the Prime Minister said: “My honourable friend is absolutely right about the importance of high-quality bus services. That's why we have capped the cost of travelling on buses to £2 until the end of 2024 as a result of our decision on HS2 and also support councils with a billion pounds of funding. I would urge all councils to ensure people see the benefits of that investment and wholeheartedly back his campaign.”
Commenting, Jonathan Gullis said: Jonathan Gullis said: “I am absolutely delighted to have the Prime Minister’s support for my campaign to ensure residents in Stoke-on-Trent will be able to use their free bus pass before 9:30 so they can make those vital hospital and GP appointments as well as get to work without having to pay to do so.
“I am grateful to the hundreds who have already signed my petition, and encourage others who agree with the Prime Minister and I to back the campaign.
“Now the clock’s ticking for Stoke-on-Trent Labour to do the same and scrap this unfair policy.”