A DISABLED pensioner says she is “appalled” at Bournemouth Borough Council after it scrapped one-way tickets for the land train.

Residents and visitors who use the popular service along the seafront will now have to pay £5 for an all-day ticket.

Previously passengers had the option to buy a one-way ticket for £2.20.

Jean Hart from Westbourne, who suffers from arthritis and has a bad hip, said she will no longer be using the service.

She said: “On Sunday my husband and I decided to take a stroll along the pier and go through the gardens – then we were going to get the train home.”

When she boarded the train, the 62-year-old, who requires the aid of a walking stick to get around, said she was “shocked and appalled” after being told it would cost them £10 to get home.

“We got on the train that had just pulled up,” she said.

“When she came over she said it would cost £5 each - £10 for the two of us is just too much.

“We got off. My husband then walked home and got the car to pick me up.”

Mrs Hart said she fears removing the option to buy a one-way ticket will discourage other local residents as well as visitors from using the service.

She said: “People will come here and think the council is just being greedy and taking their money.”

Chris Saunders, head of seafront operations at Bournemouth Borough Council, said the route is due to be extended this summer, which is one reason why the single ticket option has been scrapped.

He said the £5 all-day ticket provides residents and visitors with "the flexibility of making multiple journeys whilst enjoying all that Bournemouth seafront has to offer”.

He added: “With a new expanded route coming into play as of this summer it will mean more customers will also benefit from being able to board and depart the land train at East Overcliff Drive, in addition to the existing routes between Boscombe and Alum Chine.

“This expanded route combined with the all day ticket means we are able to provide more people with greater flexibility to enjoy the seafront.

“Due to the popularity of the all-day ticket we have taken the decision to remove the single stage fare.

“We will continue to monitor the impact of this as well as gauge feedback from our customers.”