Wheelchair users have had difficulty getting places

A woman from Anglesey is calling for free bus passes for the disabled to be extended to specially adapted transport not covered by the scheme.

June Roberts of the Taran disability group on the island has highlighted the transport problems facing people with limited mobility, particularly in rural areas.

At present, the Welsh Assembly's free bus scheme covers pensioners and disabled people, but does not include special bus services which are adapted specifically for disabled use.

She has called on assembly candidates in their area to give their views on her campaign.

"I think that the problem is everywhere because the disabled can't use public transport as far as the ordinary buses are concerned," she explained.

"It's very difficult for them to use ordinary buses and sometimes even when those buses are adapted, they're still not suitable because people can't get on them easily.

We find people wanted to come to meetings, desperately wanted to take part, desperately wanted access to education and jobs but simply couldn't get there June Roberts

"Drivers aren't always trained and we find a situation where if they do get on, [wheelchairs] aren't bolted down, which is dangerous.

"In this area, it's far more difficult because it's a rural area.

"We find people wanted to come to meetings, desperately wanted to take part, desperately wanted access to education and jobs but simply couldn't get there."

'Pot luck'

Wheelchair user Sian Foulkes added: "I have problems if I want to use public transport that when I get to the bus stop, I can't be sure that the bus will be suitable for me to use.

"It's a bit of pot luck unless I know beforehand.

"I have to find out if the bus at that stop has got low-level access."

Labour assembly candidate for Ynys Mon Gerwyn Jones said there was a need to ensure that transport was both available to and accessible by the people it was intended for.

We have to...make sure there is an integrated transport system on Anglesey because traditionally you have had to have a car Nick Bennett

"We do need to extend [free transport], and as it grows in success I can see us extending it as much as possible," he said.

Plaid Cymru candidate Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "I think it's very important we do look specifically at the needs of disabled people with concessionary travel.

"Many of them are living on very low incomes and don't have access to good quality public transport because that's more expensive at the best of times.

"That's something a Plaid Cymru government would be looking very strongly at in the next four years."

For the Liberal Democrats, candidate Nick Bennett commented: "The issue is access. The disabled get free access now but many of the vehicles aren't suitable.

'Recognition'

"We have got to do a lot more to improve access to transport modes, improve spending levels and make sure there is an integrated transport system on Anglesey because traditionally you have had to have a car."

Conservative candidate Peter Rogers said: "People are telling me, what's the point of having free bus passes - and these are for able-bodied people - if you haven't got transport?

"It's exactly the same with disabled people.

"I know that we have a service to some of the work centres that we have got here, Taran is one in particular.

"I will certainly do everything in my power to find ways of funding, or recognising - I think the recognition of the problem is important."

UK Independence Party candidate Francis Wykes said disabled people had a legal right to work and travel, and promised to work with the local authority to make sure that obligation was met.