SCRAPPING York's popular travel token scheme is a "false economy" and should be shelved, senior Labour councillors were expected to say today.

Proposals to end entitlement to travel tokens were due to come before City of York Council's ruling Liberal Democrat executive this afternoon. Lesley Cairns, the council's best value review officer, says in a report that about £300,000 could be saved by switching to a bus pass scheme only.

But because the tokens can be used in taxis as well as buses, Labour members claim that offering only concessionary bus passes would hit some disabled people hard. Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, the city council's shadow executive member for transport, said before the meeting: "For those with mobility difficulties, the option to use tokens on taxis as well as buses is essential.

"Disabled people and our older citizens in particular would be hard hit. We are being very clear - we want the council to retain travel tokens, and we hope the Liberal Democrats will be equally clear on this.

"The freedom and independence of many York citizens is at stake."

Donald Parlabean, vice-chairman of the York Older People's Assembly and a former member of York City Council, predicted widespread anger if the tokens were scrapped.

He said: "The problem, once again, is the lack of consultation. They didn't come to the assembly, they didn't come to the forum. The tokens are popular because they can be used for taxis as well as buses. If someone is housebound and can't get to the bus stop, they can use the tokens for a door-to-door service. If this goes through it will be taking people's freedom away."

Coun Ann Reid, the council's executive member for planning and transport, said there were no plans to scrap the travel token scheme, but added she would be looking at ways to improve the system.

She said: "We will ask officers to look at ways of improving public transport mobility and flexibility for elderly and disabled residents with the emphasis on personal choice.

"We also want to utilise technologies, such as smart cards, to achieve greater flexibility and efficiency."

The meeting was due to start at The Guildhall at 2pm today.

Updated: 10:22 Tuesday, June 17, 2003