Birmingham residents have been invited to have a say over a proposed £14 million reduction in transport spending.
Centro, the West Midlands transport authority, has been tasked by the seven West Midlands councils with making savings – 10 per cent of its budget – over the next two years.
Centro chairman Coun John McNicholas and staff will be outside Marks and Spencer in the High Street in Birmingham city centre on Saturday between 9am and 3pm to talk to the public about the proposals and answer questions.
Coun McNicholas said Centro faced difficult choices.
“The free bus pass for eligible people is funded by Government and will remain in place," he said.
"But it is hugely important that the public give us their views in the consultation about where they think savings should be made."
Options to be put to the public include:
• Children paying two thirds of the adult fare on buses instead of half
• Removing free local rail and tram travel for eligible people or introducing a nominal annual charge of around £30
• Reducing the grant to Ring and Ride for local determination
• Reducing the number of taxpayer funded bus services
Removing the locally funded ‘add on’ which allows eligible people to travel free on buses after 11pm
Further options to fully achieve the proposed ten per cent reduction would include completely stopping Centro funding for Ring and Ride or for child bus fare concessions.
• People will also be able to express their views during a consultation period until January 19 by emailing budgetviews@centro.org.uk or completing the online questionnaire.
