A CHORLEY pensioner says she is 'devastated' that the cost of a concessionary rail pass has risen by almost 750 per cent.

Until this week, the council-issued passes were priced at just £2 and allowed pensioners a third off train fares.

But the price has now jumped to a staggering £15.30 as part of cost cutting measures by Chorley Borough Council.

Seventy-year-old Betty McGlade of Windsor Avenue said the charges will leave her stranded in Adlington. She said: "This has come totally out of the blue.

"There's just no way I can afford to pay this much money.

"I can't do all my shopping in Adlington so I have to go to Bolton or Preston on the train. The bus takes more than 45 minutes and I'm not healthy enough to walk to the bus stop.

"I feel like all my independence is being taken away and I am just devastated."

More than 2,000 Chorley pensioners take advantage of the scheme which costs the council £27,000 every year. Although there is no statutory requirement to provide the service, bus users will not suffer as their passes are free.

Another concerned pensioner contacted the Citizen after receiving a letter requesting a cheque for £15.30. He said: "This is ridiculous. How can pensioners afford £15 as well as raises in council tax."

Asim Khan, assistant head of administrative services at Chorley Borough Council said: "Under the statutory Transport Act 2000 the council is now obligated to provide free bus passes to all those over the age of 60, previously the age was 65 for men.

"At present we are basically writing a blank cheque because we just don't know how much this could cost the council.

"The council could just not afford to offer all these people £2 rail passes as well.

"So we are now offering people both rail and bus passes instead of choosing either one of them.

"We appreciate that for pensioners money is often tight but we are under no obligation to provide subsidised rail travel and at £15.30, the passes still offer concessionary travel."