MP's warning that Harrogate 'needs to catch up with Andy Burnham' in bus passes campaign

Mr Gordon has been campaigning for more than a year to have time restrictions on disabled bus passes removed and says the current system leaves disabled people facing a postcode lottery.

Last December saw the Harrogate and Knaresborough MP hold a Parliamentary reception attended by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, as well MPs, charities and campaigners.

The event, held in partnership with disability charity Whizz Kidz, saw Mr Gordon call for disabled bus passes to be valid 24/7 rather than restricted to off-peak hours in many parts of the country.

With the Labour Mayor now set to permanently lift the 9.30am restriction on older and disabled people’s bus passes in Greater Manchester from next month, Tom Gordon MP has written to York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith to do likewise.

"Removing the 9.30am restriction will make a real difference to people’s day-to-day lives,” said Mr Gordon.

"Andy Burnham deserves credit for delivering on a commitment he made when he came to the Whizz Kidz event I hosted in Parliament.

"But it also shows up the gap elsewhere.

"As other mayors move ahead, disabled people in York and North Yorkshire are still restricted on when they can travel.

"That simply isn’t fair.”

Harrogate’s Lib Dem MP argues that said disabled and older people across England should have the same access to public transport, no matter where they live.

“Disabled people shouldn’t have fewer rights because of where they live,” he said.

"I have written to the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, asking him to match the progress we’re seeing in places like Greater Manchester.

"But local leaders can’t fix this on their own.

"National government needs to fund this properly and end the postcode lottery.”

Campaigners calling for the scrapping of time limits on disabled bus passes believe it would be fairer and make it easier for people to get to work, college, hospital and everyday activities.