FREE TRAVEL IN WEST MIDLANDS FOR PENSIONERS

That this House reinforces the principle of free travel for West Midlands citizens in both the mornings and afternoons as introduced by the Conservative-controlled West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority and West Midlands Councils and continued by the district councils, until the revocation of the free afternoon travel periods, the imposition of a charge for the first time ever, by the current Labour-controlled Passenger Transport Authority; supports the actions of the honourable Member for Birmingham, Yardley, for the original free travel concept he brought in as a member of the City of Birmingham Transport Committee and subsequently as Chairman of other bodies; congratulates him on the introduction of free rail travel for senior citizens throughout the West Midlands, thought uniquely to be the only scheme of its kind in the world, pledges its support to this scheme remaining extant in its entirety; furthermore urges all citizens of Yardley, Birmingham and the West Midlands to oppose the Labour cuts to free transport and the Liberal vacillations in voting differently on the last three votes; and pledges support to his campaign for the reintroduction of full free travel for pensioners and others at the earliest moment.