THE Transport Secretary could be called in to settle a dispute over a bus firm's refusal to accept pensioner and disabled passes on its Redditch routes, writes Becky Procter.

The borough council is at loggerheads with Pete's Travel, which took over a number of routes axed by the main bus operator, First Midland Red, and an urgent meeting is due to be held tonight.

Pete's Travel refuses to join the council's concessionary fare scheme, allowing a much-reduced price for the elderly and disabled and despite talks between the two sides, the problem remains.

Tonight, councillors and officers will decide on their next move, which could see the wrangle being taken to Stephen Byers, the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Pete's Travel financial controller Anthony Simms said the company, although keen to accept concessionary passes, would not join the council's scheme because it was not in line with legislation.