THOUSANDS of elderly and disabled people could be forced to pay for a ‘lifeline’ minibus service, bosses have revealed.

The community transport minibus service, which has 5,000 members across the county, is for people who are unable to use conventional public transport.

In many areas people who are over 60, or disabled, can use it for free with their regular bus passes.

But, under a shake-up of the concessionary travel scheme, the door-to-door service will no longer be covered, meaning they will have to pay a fee for the journeys.

Lancashire County Council, which is taking over the ‘concessionary fares’ scheme from the 12 districts, said it had not been given enough Government funds to carry on paying for the scheme.

Coun Tim Ashton, the county’s highways chief, said negotiations were underway with district councils to try and find more cash.

He said: “I have not given up. It’s not over until it’s over.”

The Government-funded concessionary fares scheme operates throughout the country and allows over-60s and disabled people to use buses free of charge after 9.30am.

In some areas councils have paid for extra services, including travel at peak times.

Now responsibility for the scheme is being passed to the county council, which says it is being underfunded by more than £5m.

The core element, free travel for over-60s, is being maintained.

But many of the extra ‘perks’ – including free community transport – are not.

There are eight community transport schemes, run by charities or non-profit organisation, across the county.

Ian Davis, general manager of Dial a Ride, which runs the service in Rossendale, said fees could be around £4 each way.

He described the development as ‘alarming’.