A free bus service that provides a ‘lifeline’ to the elderly and disabled is under threat, with passengers warning of the 'disastrous' consequences if it is cut.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) is consulting on whether to scrap the free element of ReadiBus: an alternative bus service for people with restricted mobility who cannot use ordinary buses.

The dial-a-ride service will cost a £5 return fare for all passengers if the proposal goes ahead.

Hilda Kirkpatrick, 86, from Caversham, said councillors should be ‘ashamed’ if they approve the proposal, which would be ‘disastrous’ for the elderly, disabled and those wil intellectual disability.

When Hilda’s husband died, she moved to a residential home and has since used ReadiBus to get out on her own.

She now leads a busy, active life but is reliant on the service.

She said: “It was so important to me to get out; it helped me while I was missing my husband.

“It keeps me independent and makes me feel that I am part of the community. It is a lifeline.

"When we go on ReadiBus, we meet people we know, we have a life, we go to our clubs, we socialise. We still feel part of this world.

"Reading council members should be proud to have it. If I was a councillor and I voted for it then I would be a bit ashamed.”

Older person pass holders had their free bus travel hours restricted to national guidelines in April 2017, but ReadiBus services were kept free.

In October, the council deferred their decision on similar bus cuts for disabled users, in order to consult with older person pass holders.

Elderly and disabled people are legally entitled to free bus travel between 9:30am and 11pm but local authorities can decide whether this includes local alternative bus services, such as ReadiBus.

Councillor Tony Page, lead member for transport, said: “The scale of the budget challenge we face means we now have little option but to consider each and every discretionary service currently subsidised by the Council.”

The consultation on the proposal ends on Wednesday, December 19.

Anyone can take part, via email (transport@reading.gov.uk), post or online.