Blackburn carer refused free bus journey

8:58am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Dan Clough, Reporter

Charlotte and Nathan Charlotte and Nathan

A DISABLED man was left in Blackburn town centre after a driver refused to let his carer on his bus – despite her carrying a British Red Cross carers’ card.

Nathan Montague, 19, has problems with his hearing, asthma, has been tested for autism and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and takes anti-depressants.

His girlfriend, 16-year-old Charlotte Hamer, looks after his medicine and has to be with him at all times in case he has a problem.

Mr Montague, who lives with Charlotte and her parents in Rothesay Road, Blackburn, carries a NoWcard, which gives him free travel on Transdev buses.

But when the pair tried to get on the number seven bus in Blackburn Boulevard to get home, Charlotte, who carries the Red Cross Carers Emergency Card, was denied access by the driver – despite having used the card for free travel on several occasions.

The pair had no money with them and were left to walk home in the cold.

Charlotte, a student at St Mary’s College, Blackburn, said she was responsible for Nathan: “Nathan is on anti-depressants which are hugely addictive, so I have to be there to watch him take them. I keep his tablets for him. I have responsibility for him.”

Mr Montague said if he was left on his own he could have real problems.

He said: “I didn’t know how I was going to get home. I said to the driver, ‘if you don’t let me on this bus I could collapse’.

“I need to have Charlotte with me as I have had blackouts in the past.”

A spokesman for Transdev said: “Free travel is provided by the local authority, not the bus company.

“Our policy is that free travel is available for the disabled person but not the carer.”

Comments (10)

9:30am Tue 30 Oct 12

useyourhead says...

What a ridiculous policy!
What a ridiculous policy! useyourhead

10:12am Tue 30 Oct 12

Carlost says...

While I do sympathise with anyone with difficulties this is really a non story. Is the girl an official carer or just his girlfriend who looks after him? If she is entitled to free travel then she should have the relevent free pass, if she is not entitled then why should she expect the free travel. People do have a responsibility to be aware of the conditions which apply to their free concessions.
While I do sympathise with anyone with difficulties this is really a non story. Is the girl an official carer or just his girlfriend who looks after him? If she is entitled to free travel then she should have the relevent free pass, if she is not entitled then why should she expect the free travel. People do have a responsibility to be aware of the conditions which apply to their free concessions. Carlost

10:13am Tue 30 Oct 12

scottlad says...

Sounds to me like these two wanted a free journey, I don't see how that 'disability' grants free travel for him never mind her. I feel sorry for the bus driver, sounds like he was just doing his job.
Sounds to me like these two wanted a free journey, I don't see how that 'disability' grants free travel for him never mind her. I feel sorry for the bus driver, sounds like he was just doing his job. scottlad

11:12am Tue 30 Oct 12

juanbbien says...

Not meaning too be unkind but to go anywhere without any money and him suffering from various conditions is surely asking for trouble
Not meaning too be unkind but to go anywhere without any money and him suffering from various conditions is surely asking for trouble juanbbien

11:19am Tue 30 Oct 12

Juan Hunose says...

useyourhead wrote:
What a ridiculous policy!
I think you will find that the policy is the local authority's, not the bus company's. The local authority runs the concessionary travel scheme, not the bus company. Why not ask them why a carer cannot have a free pass.

All those responsibilities and not enough for a bus fare?
[quote][p][bold]useyourhead[/bold] wrote: What a ridiculous policy![/p][/quote]I think you will find that the policy is the local authority's, not the bus company's. The local authority runs the concessionary travel scheme, not the bus company. Why not ask them why a carer cannot have a free pass. All those responsibilities and not enough for a bus fare? Juan Hunose

1:02pm Tue 30 Oct 12

hunter3062 says...

i want to see the words free travel on her red cross card..too many free rides in this country.they both look like able bodied people to me..
i want to see the words free travel on her red cross card..too many free rides in this country.they both look like able bodied people to me.. hunter3062

1:06pm Tue 30 Oct 12

hunter3062 says...

What is the Carers’ Emergency Card?
It is a credit card sized and you should carry it with you at all times. The British Red
Cross & Chester Care will hold your details which will be used as an instant source of
identification in case of an accident or serious illness using your unique card number
(located at the top right of your card). Help can then be co-ordinated to assist you
both while you are receiving attention. One phone call will ensure the person you
look after is safe.
How does the service operate?
You register with the service by completing an enrolment form. This form holds
information about you, the person you look after and the action that is needs to be
taken in case of an emergency. The British Red Cross and Chester Care hold this
information and it is treated in the strictest confidence.
What is the Carers’ Emergency Card? It is a credit card sized and you should carry it with you at all times. The British Red Cross & Chester Care will hold your details which will be used as an instant source of identification in case of an accident or serious illness using your unique card number (located at the top right of your card). Help can then be co-ordinated to assist you both while you are receiving attention. One phone call will ensure the person you look after is safe. How does the service operate? You register with the service by completing an enrolment form. This form holds information about you, the person you look after and the action that is needs to be taken in case of an emergency. The British Red Cross and Chester Care hold this information and it is treated in the strictest confidence. hunter3062

2:25pm Tue 30 Oct 12

Major Tom says...

Sounds like a scam for free travel to me.
Sounds like a scam for free travel to me. Major Tom

3:20pm Tue 30 Oct 12

ghanto says...

KICK THEM BOTH OUT OF THE BUS BECUASE THEY CAME IN THE PAPERS
KICK THEM BOTH OUT OF THE BUS BECUASE THEY CAME IN THE PAPERS ghanto

9:32am Wed 31 Oct 12

Fire Fly says...

Its disgusting that Nathan uses his disabilities to blackmail people...if you don't let me on the bus I could collapse, you ought to be ashamed!

Charlotte's been receiving free travel by flashing a card that doesn't entitle her to it & because the previous drivers didn't realise it...until now so well done to the driver concerned!

She also isn't a carer to the extent being claimed, she's 16 years old, has just started college & is still a child in the eyes of the law. If Nathan needs someone with him all the time...she can't do that whilst at college.

Basically, if he was that disabled he'd have a full time carer funded via social services but he doesn't even have a part time one so what does that tell you.
Its disgusting that Nathan uses his disabilities to blackmail people...if you don't let me on the bus I could collapse, you ought to be ashamed! Charlotte's been receiving free travel by flashing a card that doesn't entitle her to it & because the previous drivers didn't realise it...until now so well done to the driver concerned! She also isn't a carer to the extent being claimed, she's 16 years old, has just started college & is still a child in the eyes of the law. If Nathan needs someone with him all the time...she can't do that whilst at college. Basically, if he was that disabled he'd have a full time carer funded via social services but he doesn't even have a part time one so what does that tell you. Fire Fly

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