Fears over free buses cash shortfall
The Department for Transport is consulting councils about how the concessionary bus fare system should be run to provide a better scheme of free travel for the over 60s and disabled people.
The seven Lincolnshire district authorities currently work together to run a countywide bus travel service but City of Lincoln Council has expressed concerns about the lack of central government funding.
The scheme was extended in 2008 with authorities required to reimburse bus operators for all journeys made in the area for people over 60 and the disabled, regardless of where the passengers lived.
Funding was increased but concessionary bus travel costs soared to £1.94 million for City of Lincoln Council in 2008/09 with central government providing £1.4 million - a deficit of £498,178.
The authority was required to meet this cost from its own budget and agreements with other councils.
The government has expressed a preference for county councils to administer the scheme but City of Lincoln Council leader Darren Grice said this would not solve the problem.
"Free bus travel is a good idea that has benefited millions of older and disabled people across the country and one the council supports," he said.
"But until the scheme is funded fairly and efficiently it will continue to be a major source of difficulty for whoever administers it."
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