Conservative politicians in Bradford have reaffirmed their commitment to the free city bus service.

Tory councillors and candidates for the forthcoming elections met the former chairman of transport authority Metro, Stanley King, yesterday and travelled through the city centre on the free bus, talking to shoppers and distributing leaflets.

The group said it was committed to ensuring the service was provided for longer than the year the Labour and Liberal Democrat budget had committed to.

The group also committed to measures such as expanding the free parking scheme at the Oastler Centre to other parts of the district, and supporting the Hopper bus in outer areas.

Coun Anne Hawkesworth, leader of the Conservative group, said: “We are committed to providing concessions which assist local residents and traders through the current economic downturn.”

She added: “We have decided that the free city bus is a good way of travelling around the city to talk to shoppers and traders about the concessions that would be protected by a Conservative council, but which are threatened or to be removed by the Lab-Lib council budget.”

Coun Ian Greenwood, leader of the Labour-run council, said: “I’m interested to know Coun Hawkesworth has already taken budgetary decisions for next year’s budget given that we know we have to save a lot of money but we don’t know the exact situation at this time.

“I think it is more to do with the election than anything to do with transport planning or appropriate financial planning.”

Liberal Democrat group leader, Coun Jeanette Sunderland said it was a “lie” that the Conservatives were committed to providing the free bus service for longer than the other groups.