I related a few days ago how the Council had to reissue 30000 bus passes, given 3 weeks notice and 10 days to do the reissuing. Inevitably, given the scare stories in the media (including, disappointingly, the BBC) there was a great rush in the first few days for people to rush down to the local library or Council Office to renew. In my experience, no-one was turned away through lack of documentation (unless they were applying on someone else's behalf-on-site digital photo required), no-one was discomfitted (chairs available, disabled people taken to the front of the line etc). Pleases, thank yous, friendliness, "spirit of the blitz", were all on show. What was distasteful, apart from the media hoo-ha, was the reaction of politicians:"..in the the same week as the poorly organised issuing of new bus passes...": the Mayor (it was your decision, matey)"Mayor Nick Bye has lambasted his own council for the lack of communication within the council and with the public" Herald Express 26/3/07"Lib Dem Councillor Gordon Jennings said the bus pass swap had been "a complete shambles" Herald Express 27/3/07 (the Mayor is Tory)Sorry, but I didnt see you down at the town hall seeing how things were going, Councillor, Mr Mayor? Did you not read the all-staff emails about the new scheme, or listen to the radio, watch the TV, ride on a bus and pick up a leaflet about the change? Do you even know how people have worked at this, 10 hours a day, 7 days a week? Have you asked the people who have waited (and got) their new passes? Or asked them how helpful and thoughtful the staff were? No?Amazing how politicians and media can wind each other up, without an inkling of knowledge of what is actually happening.Two things I do know, my colleagues are bloody good at their jobs; and that pensioners rock. Mostly.
Labels: Bus Pass
posted by Lord Hutton @ 7:36 PM 9 comments links to this post
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