Help the Aged has commented on the new local transport bill which was published by the government yesterday.

Senior policy officer for the charity Alan Burnett stated that local transport is a "vital" facility for older people as it allows them to remain in contact with family and friends as well as remain independent.

He stated that the bill's plans to give more power to local authorities over transport decisions made sense.

Mr Burnett added that the government should do more to help allow and encourage local authorities to meet the needs of older people who cannot use buses.

"Tokens must be made available for people with mobility issues so they can use taxis, trains or dial-a-ride schemes as an alternative."

The bill was included in the Queen's speech at the state opening of parliament earlier this week.

In recent days, the charity stated that it hoped that Ofcare, a regulator for health and adult social care proposed in the Queen's speech, will be "feisty and user-friendly."