DISABLED bus-users in East Lancashire who travel before 9.30am on weekdays will see their fares double next month.

Hyndburn Labour MP Graham Jones condemned the move by the county and Blackburn with Darwen borough councils as ‘another example’ of government cuts affecting the vulnerable.

From December 3, people who use the disabled person concessionary NoWcard to travel on buses across the county before 9.30am on Mondays to Fridays, will a fare rise from 50p to £1 per journey.

The change was originally proposed by the Tory-controlled county council for cardholders in its boroughs including Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle, and Rossendale.

Blackburn with Darwen decided to follow suit but Blackpool council has declined to implement the change for residents starting journeys within its boundaries.

The 50p fare was introduced in April 2008.

The change will not affect the national concessionary scheme allowing disabled people free travel between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays and all day on weekends and bank holidays.

Mr Jones, said: “In another example of Conservative cuts, NowCard off-peak charges for disabled passengers will double to £1 just in time for Christmas with the fare increase taking effect from Monday December 3.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Cllr Phil Riley said: “We brought in this change reluctantly.

“We have to look for savings because of government cuts. Lancashire County Council adopted this increase and after an consultation we have followed suit partly for simplicity of operation.”

The change has been condemned by county Labour opposition leader Cllr Azhar Ali.

His criticism was echoed by his Liberal Democrat counterpart, Pendle Rural’s Cllr David Whipp.