VOTE: Worthing's elderly bus pass users treated 'like second class citizens'
AN ELDERLY woman is taking on the council in a war over the use of free bus passes in Worthing.
Hilda Hammond, 87, believes the 9.30am start time for concessionary passes for the town's elderly is "unfair", considering people in Littlehampton and Brighton can start using theirs at 9am.
She wants to see Worthing brought into line with neighbouring districts, and is launching a petition to try to make it happen.
Hilda, of Downview Road, Worthing, said: "I can't see the logic of the council's decision to start the concessionary bus service at 9.30am.
"The buses run empty before 9.30am and are overcrowded afterwards.
"There are the same number of passengers involved, so it makes sense to spread the load."
Volunteer work
Hilda volunteers at Heene First School in Norfolk Street, Worthing, three times a week and said she needs to take the bus before 9.30am to ensure she arrives on time.
She spends the morning helping children aged five and six with their reading skills and said: "I really enjoy it.
"It's so rewarding to see the children progressing and it's good for me to keep my mind active.
"I hate to be late for it but because I can't get on the bus before 9.30am, I am always at risk that it could happen."
Full buses
On Tuesday, July 22, as Hilda waited for the bus to take her to the school, two drove past, unable to stop for her as they were already full, making her late for her volunteer work.
She believes the problem was caused by older people in Littlehampton getting on the buses at 9am and filling them up before they arrived at Worthing.
Hilda's petition, asking Worthing Borough Council to start the free bus pass service from 9am, is available to be signed at the following locations:
Anthony Michael hairdressers, Doyles Caf, the Co-op, the Post Office and Pixies greengrocers, all in Goring Road; Supernews newsagent and Easy Weigh in the Guildbourne Centre; the Co-op in Newland Street; News and Cards newsagent in Richmond Road; the Co-op in South Street and the Co-op in Rowlands Road.
Have your say
Do you think bus passes for the elderly in Worthing should start at 9am or 9.30am?
Vote for 9am or 9.30am in the panel to the right of the screen.
What do you think?
Are you a morning bus user?
How busy are the buses after 9am?
What difference would it make to your journey if the over-60s were able to use their bus passes before 9.30am?
Share your views, comment below, email the Herald or write in to Readers Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.
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Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
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