MEMBERS of a lunch club for elderly people in Arnold say a hike in charges is like a "punch in the nose."
Visitors to Pond Hills Lane Lunch Club, which meets every Monday at Pond Hills Lane Community Centre, must now pay �5 per return bus journey instead of �1.
And the cost of their meal has also risen, from �3 to �3.95.
Notts County Council has increased the charges for its transport to luncheon clubs to help it save money.
And County Enterprise Foods, a council-run service which provides meals, has also put up its prices to increase revenue.
Joan Barker, 82, of Redhill Road, said she enjoyed the chance to get out and chat, but the rise would make it more difficult.
Mrs Barker said: "It's something to look forward to. I'm blind and this gets me out for a bit.
"The price rise is going to make a lot of difference, we are on pensions and it's a lot for it to go up by."
One 84-year-old woman from Arnold, who did not want to be named, was angry about the changes.
She said: "It's like a punch on the nose. It's a crying shame. I do realise they that have got to save money, but this is going a bit far.
"I am having to think about whether to keep coming."
Janie Richardson, 90, of Langley Avenue, said she felt older people were being made to pay the price for spending cuts.
"I think they are putting it on the elderly," she said. "It's a lot of money out of your pension."
She added visiting the club also gave her daughter a break from looking after her.
Mrs Richardson uses community transport run by Gedling CVS, instead of the council bus, but has seen the cost of mileage for that rise too.
George Hopkin, 91, said: "I like coming here, but I suppose it's the way of the world."
The club is staffed by volunteers who say they have seen positive changes in members during their time at the club. They have helped members through devastating bereavement and feelings of loneliness.
But they now fear for the future of the club, which takes referrals from social workers, nurses and hospitals.
Club chairman Eileen Rosillo said staff had been "disgusted" to receive letters from the council and County Enterprise Foods days apart.
Mrs Rosillo said: "These are vulnerable, isolated, people. If you are just on a pension this is a lot of money.
"We can understand a small rise but this is high."
Councillor Kevin Rostance, cabinet member for adult social care and health at the county council, said: "No one wants to make life any tougher than it needs to be for our older, vulnerable people but nobody will be charged who's unable to pay and we've taken care to phase in the price increases for meals and transport over a number of years.
"The fact is the county council has to confront an unprecedented financial reality and the only way we can do this is to work smarter and more cost- effectively."
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