Twenty-eight year old Kate, who is herself disabled, says, “Being able to travel free of charge within West Berkshire and to and from Reading will make it easier for disabled people to socialise and go shopping like everyone else. It will help to bring the community together. I won’t ever be able to drive a car but even when I can use my bus pass, the fares soon mount up.”

Kate Green has drawn up a petition which she has asked Cllr Sue Farrant (Liberal Democrats, Northcroft Ward) to present to West Berkshire Council on 13 December. She wants as many people as possible to sign the petition before then.

Kate is asking local businesses and organisations to take petition forms and encourage their employees and customers to sign up. As Kate says, “Every signature is as important as the next one.”

On Saturday 22 October Kate and Sue will be on the steps of Newbury Town Hall from 1230pm until 2.30 pm collecting signatures.

Our photograph shows Kate Green and Cllr Sue Farrant with the petition forms outside the West Berkshire Council offices.

Additional Information:

1.Registered disabled people can have a bus pass from West Berkshire Council which entitles them to half price fares on local buses, provided they travel after 0900 and before 2200.

2.The return fare to Reading using the bus pass is now £2.25.

3.Bus fares to and from hospital can be reclaimed but Kate Green thinks this causes the hospital unnecessary paperwork. In any case, people with conditions like hers have to go frequently to the hospital for tests, often on a daily basis and often before 0900, so they have to find considerable amounts of money in the first place. A return fare from Newbury to the WBCH before 0900 is £1.20.