Campaigners for free train rides for OAPs told 'you will not succeed'

Sheffield City Region Combined Authority said the protesters who have spent five months bidding to overturn the scrapping of free rail transport for pensioners would not succeed.

After fresh talks broke down on Tuesday, Cllr Bill Mordue, chairman of the transport committee, said that budget cuts to budgets meant that “more generous concessionary terms”, which were previously available, were simply no longer affordable.

Free travel for the disabled was reinstated in June but OAPs have to pay half-fare if crossing borough boundaries. 

George Arthur, campaign secretary for the Barnsley Retirees Action Group, which had led the campaign for South Yorkshire protesters, including those from Rotherham, said SCRCA had dismissed “constructive ideas” they put forward.

He added: “We were astounded that they had bothered to meet up to tell us that they had nothing to say.”

Cllr Mordue said: “Protesters have to understand that this was done reluctantly because there isn’t enough money to fund a free scheme anymore.

“The protests are disruptive, they cost the taxpayers’ money to manage and some people have been breaking the law by travelling without a valid ticket.

“Our message is firm — we simply can’t afford the free rail fare anymore.