THE cost of morning peak-time bus travel for many disabled passengers could double under proposals being considered by Lancashire County Council.

It is consulting on increasing the flat fare for those using a NoWcard concessionary pass before 9.30am from 50p a journey to £1.

The move is part of the Conservative leadership’s measures to save £144million by 2022.

It has been condemned by Labour opposition leader Cllr Azhar Ali and his Liberal Democrat counterpart Cllr David Whipp as ‘penny-pinching’.

The change would only apply to disabled NoWcard holders resident in the county council’s 12 boroughs (including Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale and Chorley), and would not affect the national concessionary travel scheme allowing disabled people free travel between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays and all day on weekends and bank holidays.

A consultation on the proposal , which does not affect disabled NoWcard holders living in Blackburn with Darwen, starts on Monday.

Cllr Keith Iddon, cabinet member for transport, said: “We’re committed to providing the best services to the most vulnerable in our communities which is why we offer a this concession to disabled NoWcard holders to travel outside the times of the national scheme.

“To help us reduce the pressure on the budget, we’re proposing to increase the charge before 9.30am on weekdays from 50p to £1.”

Nelson East’s Cllr Ali said: “This is the last straw in Tory penny-pinching at the expense of the disabled.”

Pendle Rural’ Cllr Whipp said: “This is is absolute meanness and penny-pinching at the expense of some of Lancashire’s most vulnerable citizens.”

People can respond at www.lancashire.gov.uk/haveyoursay.