OLD and disabled people could be stripped of their right to cheap travel to day centres.

Social services bosses are to means test everyone who uses subsidised buses to get around.

Currently, users pay £2 for a return ticket on department-funded buses to take them from their houses to day centres.

Bosses, who are still wrestling to balance the books, say the real cost is much higher. The new scheme could save money because fewer people might need assisted transport.

But they say that the move is motivated by audit commission advice that services must have eligibility criteria.

Traditionally, people in Bury who have been assessed as needing day services have been automatically offered special transport, now everyone will be individually assessed.

Some people, perhaps those with bus passes, would be able to use public transport. Others, such as those with high levels of dementia, would have little option but to use the council service.

Ms Sue Lightup, assistant borough social services officer, announced the proposal at Tuesday's committee meeting.

"We're starting from the basis of what people can do rather than what they cannot," she said.

"This is designed for individuals' needs rather than groups, assisting people to use public transport rather than providing it ourselves."

She added: "Some people will continue to need the highest level of social services subsidised transport. Wheelchair users still have considerable difficulty using public transport."

Ms Lightup said a lot of work still needed to be done on the plans.

Talks would take place with the Carers Partnership and the learning disability sub-committee, after which eligibility criteria would be set.

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