CHARITABLE volunteers have called for a complete rethink of the removal of crucial free bus pass travel which critics have argued is targeting the most vulnerable in Slough society.

From the start of the month, Slough Borough Council has scrapped free bus travel before 9.30am and after 11pm on weekdays, reduced funding for the youth bus pass by 50%, scrapped funding for some routes and removed the companion bus pass which allows a vulnerable person to travel with a carer, both for free.

However, there are already fears about the effect the changes have had on older people including at Age Concern Slough and Berkshire East where a volunteer who opens up its Resource Centre at 9am faces the difficult choice of paying for bus fare everyday or not opening the centre so early. Users are also used to coming in at 9am which they now cannot afford to do.

Anetta Dendie, Resource Centre manager, said: “We have support groups that run from 10am-12 which are usually very popular and so very busy with appointments. I would say it is already having an effect. The other thing is older people are so used to routine - we have one lady who still goes to the bus stop early even though she knows she cannot get on to the bus.” Bud Nijjar, who lives in the centre of Slough, runs a weekly multiple sclerosis support group at SportsAble, in Braywick Road, Maidenhead, for around 50 people. As the group starts at 9am, Mr Nijjar has to either come in later or pay for bus fare every week.

Mr Nijjar, who also has epilepsy and balance deformities, said: “I feel as if I am letting them down. This is affecting the most vulnerable people in society. For other people, the Citizens Advice Bureau runs on a first come, first served basis. It opens at 9am so people can’t get there.” People affected by the changes attended a full council meeting on Tuesday (21/4) where a motion from UKIP’s two councillors - Cllrs Diana Coad and Andrew Mellor - calling for a review of the changes was approved.

UKIP’s Cllr Diana Coad said: “I firmly believe we stood for election to do the right thing for people. In this case, that is to do the review.” Deputy leader of the council James Swindlehurst was beside himself with anger at Conservative councillors for their support for the motion, arguing the cuts only had to be made due to Conservative-led central government budget cuts. He said: “You have some brass to come here and lecture us about nastiness.” Cllr Swindelhurst added both UKIP councillors had voted in favour of the budget which approved the cuts.

In supporting the review, council leader Rob Anderson said: “It is about reviewing it to see what we can do like we do every year to make the best use of the money we have however that is distributed.” The changes are anticipated to save around £700,000 as the council trims £14.5m from its budget this year.