ADULTS with learning disabilities say they are going to struggle to use buses to get to work on time after changes to their passes were enforced this week.

Charges implemented by Surrey County Council (SCC) to save money mean free disabled bus passes will be restricted to use between 9.30am and 11pm as of Monday (April 1).

But those who now use the bus to get to work before 9.30am say this will impact their ability to travel to work and independence as well as cost them more than other bus users.

Two of those affected took their case to County Hall on Tuesday, March 26 to address councillors at the cabinet meeting. Work colleagues Katy Robertson and Duncan Robertson (not related) both have cognitive and communication difficulties.

Their employer, Pauline Robertson, director of Frimhurst Enterprises, says the bus pass gives them the independence to use a bus to get to work without having to talk to the driver.

But under the changes brought in by SCC they will now have to try to ask for a ticket which neither of them is able to do.

They said they also did not want to have to get a later bus as that would mean arriving at work later and therefore not fair on their co-workers.

Responding, Mike Goodman, Surrey’s cabinet member for environment and waste, said the council did consult on changes to concessionary fares last year and that other councils have removed the free bus passes completely, adding the council will “try to help” those facing problems.