Preston bus passengers who have a NoWcard could pay more to use the bus outside of off-peak hours.

Lancashire County Council is lining up an increase of the charge for travel before 9.30am on weekdays.

Currently it is 50p for anyone who holds the disabled card to travel before 9.30am on a weekday, this would double to £1.

Free travel would remain between 9.30am to 11pm on weekdays, and all weekends and Bank Holidays for those with the NoWcard.

A consultation is running on the proposed rise in the charge from Monday (26 March) to Monday 21 May.

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Cabinet member for highways and transport county councillor Keith Iddon said: “Like many councils, we are facing an extremely challenging financial position, with a forecasted funding gap of £144m in 2021/22.

“We’re committed to providing the best services we can, particularly to the most vulnerable in our communities, which is why we offer a concession to disabled NoWcard holders to travel outside the times mandated by the national scheme.

“To help us reduce the pressure on the budget, we’re proposing to increase the charge to travel before 9.30am on weekdays from 50p to £1.

“However we don’t want to make a decision before considering how it will affect people, and I’m grateful for people taking the time to respond to the consultation over the coming weeks.”

How to give your views to the county council

The consultation is via the county council website.

For those who would like the questionnaire in a different format they can phone 03001236734.

What is the NowCard?

It’s set up to work across Cumbria, Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool Councils.

The cards are for anyone aged five and over and cover blindness or being partially sighted, deaf, without speech, learning disabilities, loss of the use of both arms, walking disabilities and other disabilities.

Holding a card is free and entitles you to free travel after 9.30am on weekdays. There’s more details on the NoWcard website.

Will this affect you? Let us know in the comments below