Charity gives Minister early Christmas present
Age Scotland today handed Transport and Veterans Minister Keith Brown MSP an early Christmas present - thousands of signatures calling for action to help older people who are left isolated and vulnerable due to a lack of suitable public transport.
Campaigners from the Charity presented Mr Brown more than 6,500 signatures from members of the public concerned about those who are unable to access mainstream bus services because of a disability, a health condition or where they live.
The Still Waiting petition calls on the Scottish Government to secure the future of community transport services, which provide a door-to-door alternative, but which have seen their funding dwindle even as demand for them grows.
Brian Sloan, Age Scotland Chief Executive, said: "When we launched the Still Waiting campaign in February, community transport was a much neglected and undervalued Cinderella service. Now our politicians are waking up to its vital importance, as our population ages, and as mainstream bus providers reduce their services.
"We've welcomed Mr Brown's recent announcement of a one-off fund of £1m to upgrade Scotland's ageing community mini-buses, but believe the Scottish Government can do more to ensure that community transport thrives and is sustainable as the demand for these vital services will grow.
"The Scottish Government has made clear its wish for older people to remain living at home and a part of their community for as long as possible. They now need to back this up by investing in the community services which make this possible."
The Still Waiting Campaign has received backing from many civil society groups.
ALLIANCE Chief Executive Ian Welsh said: "We are increasingly realising just what an impact loneliness and isolation has on many older people in Scotland. It has a devastating effect on quality of life and on physical and mental health. Enabling people to remain connected and involved in their communities is one of the most important things we can do to support better lives in older age and accessible community transport is key to that."
Alan Spinks of the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners said: "As many older people become more insular, with their local facilities disappearing, it is vitally important to improve transport provision. Enabling these older people to access better public and community transport will go some way to improving their quality of life."
The issue of isolation is not to be underestimated. Currently around one in five older people do not speak to friends or family on a daily basis and researchers rate loneliness as a higher health risk than lifelong smoking.
The Still Waiting campaign has received backing from more than a quarter of MSPs, including every opposition party leader. It calls for the Scottish Government to adopt a more strategic approach to support and invest in community transport, and argues for inclusion of all community transport services within the National Concessionary Travel scheme as a sustainable long-term funding solution.
