Campaigners lobby minister to keep people “On the buses”
A Hinckley and Bosworth borough councillor was amongst a group of bus campaigners who travelled to London by vintage bus to lobby the government about cuts to local bus services.
Cllr Michael Mullaney (Lib Dem. Hinckley Trinity) was amongst the campaigners on the bus organised by actress Anna Karen, better known as "Olive" from "On the Buses". Terry Kirby chairman of Leicestershire Campaign for better Transport and Barwell parish councillor (Lib Dem St Mary's ward) was also on board.
They met Transport Minister, Norman Baker, to express their concerns.
Michael Mullaney said "It was great that Anna Karen, a British comedy icon as "Olive" was prepared to organise this event and promote this important cause.
"It gave me the opportunity to raise the cutbacks to the 153 bus service that runs through many of the villages in Hinckley and Bosworth.
"The County Council is considering cutting back half a million pounds from the buses budget for each of the three years from 2012.This would reduce the budget by about a third and could lead to many more bus services in the county being lost.
"I hope the government listens to the concerns we raised in London. The government believes the environment is a priority, to cut back on buses will force many bus users who drive back into their cars. The government also want to promote social inclusion. To allow bus services to be cut, particularly in rural areas, could leave many people who don't drive, particularly elderly and disabled people unable to lead full lives."
The programme will be broadcast on BBC One's "Inside Out" programme in October.