Lib Dem funding boost for lifeline bus (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Lib Dem funding boost for lifeline bus

July 14, 2009 5:53 PM

Canonbury Lib Dem councillors Barbara Smith and Lucy Watt support the Plusbus, which is invaluable to older people living in Canonbury.

Islington council has agreed a funding boost for the 812 'Plusbus' service - a special hail-and-ride bus that provides transport for elderly and disabled residents. The future of this service has been guaranteed, and more people will be encouraged to use this special service to get around the borough.

The service was almost axed in 2007 when central Government pulled the plug on funding for the bus route. But Islington's Liberal Democrat Council stepped in to save the much-valued route.

The council have now renewed their commitment to keeping the bus running, as well as giving it a funding boost to let more people know that they can use the service - including young people.

26,987 journeys were made on the Plusbus last year, mainly by Freedom Pass holders. The bus travels from Hoxton to Angel and back, via the Peel community centre at Percy Circus, and can be hailed down at any point along the route.

Lib Dem transport chief Greg Foxsmith said:

"The 812 route is an important bus to a lot of older people in the borough. You can hail it down wherever you are and catch it to the shops or the community centre and back. It's particularly valued by older people, although everyone is free to flag it down.

"The Liberal Democrat administration in Islington fought hard to keep the bus when the Government cut its funding, and stepped in to pay for the service ourselves."