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Funding danger to travel scheme Funding danger to travel scheme
(about 1 hour later)
Free travel fares for over 60s may have to be capped due to a funding shortfall, the BBC has learned.Free travel fares for over 60s may have to be capped due to a funding shortfall, the BBC has learned.
The Department of Regional Development said it faced "inescapable financial pressures" totalling more than £400m over the next two years.The Department of Regional Development said it faced "inescapable financial pressures" totalling more than £400m over the next two years.
It wants £5m extra to maintain the scheme, which recently came into force.It wants £5m extra to maintain the scheme, which recently came into force.
The memo by the department's finance director, leaked to the BBC, was written this month as part of a stock-take across all government departments.The memo by the department's finance director, leaked to the BBC, was written this month as part of a stock-take across all government departments.
The biggest financial pressure faced by the department is the cost of deferring water charges for another two years and could hit £420m without the partial introduction of charges in 2010. The biggest financial pressure faced by the department is the cost of deferring water charges for another two years, which could hit £420m without the partial introduction of charges in 2010.
Other pressures involve rising fuel and safety costs on railways, which could mean reducing services.Other pressures involve rising fuel and safety costs on railways, which could mean reducing services.
A Department of Regional Development spokesman said all departments were reviewing budgets for the next two years.A Department of Regional Development spokesman said all departments were reviewing budgets for the next two years.
He said any cuts in services would be a last resort.He said any cuts in services would be a last resort.