Elderly and disabled Fifers could be hit by transport cuts including scrapping of rail concessions and charging for on-demand bus services.
Fife Council officers have drafted a list of dozens of cost-cutting measures for consideration by councillors as the local authority faces a £82.5 million funding gap over the next decade.
Many of the options tabled have previously been rejected by councillors tasked with setting the region’s budget.
They include doing away with subsidised rail journeys within Fife for passengers who are over the age of 60 or have disabilities and scrapping the grant for Fife Shopmobility, which lends electric scooters and wheelchairs in town centres.
Proposals also include an annual charge of £100 for users of the Fife Bus service, which caters for people who have difficulty using public transport, and a £100 levy for provision of disabled parking bays.
Officers say they recognise the proposals could limit travel options and cause social exclusion and mental health issues.
East Neuk and Landward Liberal Democrat councillor Bill Porteous said the authority had a responsibility to ensure resources were directed towards those who need them most.
He said: “I would have concerns about savings that were affecting elderly and vulnerable people and I can understand the situation where it would be necessary to ensure that we are targeting benefits and services of this nature to those who really need them.”
Mr Porteous said more detail about the proposals would be required.
He also suggested that rather than scrapping rail concessions enjoyed by the over-60s they could be extended to young people aged 18 to 21 who are likely to be in education or the early stages of their careers.
The council stressed that the list of potential savings had been circulated for discussion at this stage, and highlighted its current consultation on subsidised transport.
Keith Winter, executive director for enterprise and environment, said: “As with every year, these are potential savings options for political groups to consider before politicians publish their final budget proposals.
“No decisions have yet been made.”
He said officials were fully committed to ensuring Fife is a fair region.
“Financial decisions and policy reflect our work to reduce poverty to improve the lives of everyone in Fife,” added Mr Winter.
“All services are expected to put forward potential savings options and we are still discussing the implications of these.
“Councillors will decide early 2020 which, if any, of those potential savings they may want to take. Unfortunately, there’s no let-up in the financial challenge facing councils and all services have been asked to plan for future savings.”
The consultation on subsidised passenger transport, which costs £22 million annually, can be accessed at https://our.fife.scot/transportingpeople/.
