The battle is on to save Huddersfield’s and Dewsbury’s popular free town buses.
Huddersfield’s town centre bus which carried more than one million passengers in the four years since it was launched in 2006 narrowly escaped the axe in 2010 following another public spending squeeze.
The Dewsbury free town bus operates with contributions from Sainsbury’s.
The council says the proposal would save £96,000 during 2016/17 and a further £102,000 in 2017/18.
But the proposal has triggered protests, particularly from older people who say it is an invaluable service and is brilliant at helping pensioners avoid social isolation.
A spokesman for Kirklees Council said: “These are budget options which have been put forward for discussion. There will be a debate by councillors and a full public consultation which will be a vital part of the process.
“Once final proposals have been developed, budget decisions will be made at full council in early 2015.”
Responding to news that Kirklees is considering withdrawing funding for the Huddersfield and Dewsbury free bus services, a West Yorkshire Combined Authority spokeswoman said: “Free bus services are currently funded on a shared basis with district councils but if that district funding were to be removed we would look at the possibility of continuing these services on a fare-paying basis.”
Jean Lorriman, 71, of Fenay Bridge, who is involved with Huddersfield and District Pensioners Organisation and Kirklees Older People’s Network, (KOPN), said: “It’s awful news because older people are really glad of this bus. Everyone is outraged at these cuts.
“The people using these buses keep the Huddersfield economy going. They spend a lot of money in the town. During the day the cafes and shops are dominated by older people. I do hope they don’t cut it.”
KOPN chairman Richard Palmer added: “I appreciate the council has a great deal of problems trying to balance the books but for a lot of older people the town centre bus is an absolute lifeline.”
Andrew Cooper, leader of the Green party on Kirklees Council, said Huddersfield town centre was on a slope and so the free bus was handy for the elderly and those with mobility problems and said he would certainly fight to save the service.
