COUN Simpson-Laing's letter claiming credit for free bus passes for the elderly is breathtaking (April 6) and needs to be examined in the light of Labour's record within the city on the issue of concessionary travel.

Labour froze the bus token allocation at £26 for more than ten years and it took a Liberal Democrat council to raise that limit.

We are proud that we were also able to offer the "50p all day" ticket for elderly and disabled people with bus passes last year and have maintained that offer this year.

Labour's budget amendments in the past two years have not included any proposals for the free bus pass that Coun Simpson-Laing now supports and this is the first time she has revealed any consultation with residents over this issue.

Our consultation with the Older Persons' Forum showed that they felt that the quarter fare option would be an acceptable level for most people.

Liberal Democrats felt that by improving travel concessions for the elderly and disabled, we could help offset the effects that the iniquitous council tax system has on people with fixed incomes.

Gordon Brown's offer of a free bus pass is nothing more than a pre-election bribe that is not yet available. I would like to remind residents that they need to claim their tokens in the normal way this year.

Ann Reid,

Executive member for planning and transport,

Grassholme, York.

Updated: 10:38 Tuesday, April 19, 2005