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'Partial victory' for pensioners and disabled people in battle to reinstate free South Yorkshire transport

Campaigners celebrate in Barnsley as South Yorks Transport Authority bows to pressure to reinstate free train tickets for disabled people and half-price tickets for pensioners

Campaigners in South Yorkshire are today celebrating a “partial victory” in a battle to reinstate free bus and rail travel for pensioners and disabled people which was axed by transport bosses.

Disabled people, pensioners and supporters have been staging “freedom rides” on trains in South Yorkshire every Monday by boarding en masse and refusing to pay.

The campaign followed a decision by South Yorkshire Transport Authority to scrap free train travel for disabled people and restrict pensioners’ free bus travel.

But pensioners and disabled people responded with a campaign of direct action.

For seven weeks hundreds of pensioners, disabled people and supporters gathered to board trains in Barnsley, Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster.

The action escalated when rail security staff and police blocked the entrance to Barnsley station.

Rallies in the town led by Barnsley Retirees Action Group swelled to 500 people.

The protests were backed by train drivers’ union Aslef, rail union RMT, bakers’ union BFAWU and South Yorkshire Unite Community branch.

As a result the transport authority is to reinstate free travel on local trains for disabled people and their carers from June 8 but only agreed half-price train travel in South Yorkshire for pensioners.

Disabled campaigners have vowed to fight on in solidarity with pensioners if they decide to continue the campaign.

Joe Rollin of Unite Community said: “The freedom riders are planning a victory parade through Barnsley today and will be voting on whether or not to continue with the protest.

“Whatever the protesters decide to do, their action has been inspirational and shows that a combination of direct action, political pressure and legal challenge can win.”

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