The government has been condemned for cancelling a subsidy paid to coach companies so that they can provide cheaper travel to the disabled and the over-60s.  The Coach Concessionary Travel Scheme, which provided half-price travel on long-distance journeys, will no longer be available by the end of this year.

Managing director of the coach division at National Express, Andrew Cleaves, said the decision to no longer provide that subsidy was contrary to Prime Minister David Cameron’s promise to protect subsidised travel. He added that the decision was likely to badly affect that elderly and could result in a number of routes disappearing.

Age UK’s charity director, Michelle Mitchell, said the coach concession was vital to many elderly people who used it to remain in contact with family and friends. She added that she had asked to government to reconsider its plans pointing out that if it went ahead more people would be isolated and lonely.

Transport spokesman for the opposition, Maria Eagle, said coach services were essential to those who do not have other transport options. She added that the removal of the concession was likely to reduce the quality of life for pensioners and disabled people who used the services to get around and go on holiday.

The Department for Transport said the coach concession had been useful, but that the government had to deal with the budget deficit. It added that the coach industry could decide to provide its own subsidies and that there would still be concessions on local bus services across the country.