E&I urged to drop ‘ageist, discriminatory bus policy’

Deputy Lester Queripel said if raising money was the issue for the States, then the standard bus fare should be increased by a £1.

Environment & Infrastructure’s idea is that free bus passes for the over-65s would not be valid before 9.30am in order to free up seats for paying passengers, but the feedback has been negative.

Deputy Queripel, known as a champion of the pensioner, said he was shocked and extremely disappointed at this idea.

‘I very much appreciate E&I are seeking to make “savings” but surely targeting pensioners in this manner raises concerns about segregation and discrimination?

‘However, I want to emphasise that I’m not saying for a second that that is what E&I are attempting to do – perhaps they haven’t “thought it through” as the saying goes.’

Age Concern chairman David Inglis echoed these comments.

‘I don’t see the reason behind it,’ he said.

‘It’s not going to raise a lot of income and it’s a bit discriminating, more than anything.’

Mr Inglis said he did not believe the service was ‘swamped’ with over-65s taking up seats on early routes.

Deputy David De Lisle also spoke out against the proposal.

‘Targeting pensioners is discriminatory by segregating out one group of workers in this way, especially at a time when the government is seeking ways to augment the work force,’ he said. ‘E&I must drop this ageism discriminatory policy.’

Deputy Queripel said the message to pensioners seemed to be that there were people far more important than them who

needed to travel on a bus before 9.30am.

‘What about if they need to attend a medical appointment or visit a relation or friend in distress, or simply need to be somewhere, for whatever reason, perhaps to take care of their grandchildren?’

He said life was difficult and confusing enough for some pensioners already. This could only add to that confusion and become a major inconvenience.

Committee vice-president Adrian Gabriel has said people over 65 who worked could probably afford a bus ticket.

Mr Inglis said he was disappointed with these comments.

‘You’ll find that most pensioners who want to work just enjoy the company and it keeps them active.

‘They’re not working 40-hour weeks, they’ll probably be working 20 hours and on zero-hours contracts because it suits them and their employer.’

Deputy Queripel said it seemed to him that pensioners were ‘once again being told by a committee of their own government, that they are an inconvenience’.

‘How can that possibly be acceptable in this day and age when we constantly mouth the mantra “we need to promote an inclusive society”?

‘Why are pensioners being targeted in an attempt to increase the income for the bus company?’

He said that E&I’s proposed standard fare increase from £1.25 to £1.50 was not realistic and it should instead go up to £2.25.

‘That’s what I call a realistic amount. Therefore with that in mind, I urge my colleagues on E&I to review their approach.’