FREE bus passes for over sixties and the disabled could leave Essex councils with a £9million bill, it is feared.

Essex Council leaders lobbied the Department for Transport for a cash injection to offset the costs of the concessionary fares scheme.

The group said Govern- ment officials recognised the problem, but stressed there was no extra cash available in the short-term.

This means councils are faced with reducing services to meet the costs of bus operators when the scheme is rolled out nationally in April.

At the moment, the additional costs across Essex could escalate to £9million, depending on the popularity of the scheme to pensioners and council taxpayers.

Southend Council leader Nigel Holdcroft said: "At least the Government is admitting there is a problem.

"We were prepared for this problem and we have made provision for extra expenditure on free bus fares in next year's budget.

"Everyone supports the scheme as a good idea, which has helped increase bus usage and given a new opportunity for many elderly residents to get out and travel around the area which they could not do previously.

"However, the Govern- ment promised to fund the scheme fully and they should honour this promise. Otherwise, it means the burden once again falls on the council taxpayer, meaning either service cuts or tax increases."

Pam Challis, chairman of the Essex Council Leaders Group and leader of Castle Point Council, said: "As far as I am aware all the indications are the department considers it has adequately funded the concessionary travel scheme.

"I am still waiting for a response to my request for a meeting with the minister and expect to have this meeting to formalise what the position is going to be.

"I will keep pressing for that meeting, but they appear to be indicating they are not looking to raise funding to any greater level."

Keith Hudson, deputy leader of Rochford District Council, said the extra amount for free bus passes was likely to be a major problem for the authority in the future.

He added: "The scheme is a good one which everyone welcomed, but it has to be properly funded.

"This is especially the case in an area like Rochford where there are a large number of elderly residents."