James Cunningham

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Free bus travel just the ticket for Coventry residents

OLDER and disabled people in Coventry will qualify for free off-peak local bus travel anywhere in England, Jim Cunningham has had confirmed.

The Government is currently consulting with the bus industry and local authorities – including Coventry City Council – to find the best way to deliver the improved concessionary travel entitlement from April 2008.

Older and disabled people currently enjoy free off-peak local bus travel in their area of residence – around 20,000 residents in Coventry South.

But the Concessionary Bus Travel Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, extends the scheme to cover the whole of England.

Mr Cunningham pressed Transport minister Gillian Merron on the matter after being contacted on the issue by constituents.

“Bus travel plays a hugely important part in the lives of many of my constituents,” said Mr Cunningham.

“At the moment older and disabled people receive free off-peak local bus travel in and around the Coventry area.

“A number of constituents have raised the issue of bus travel with me and I was more than happy to take the matter up with the Department of Transport.

“The minister responsible for concessionary travel policy, Gillian Merron, has now written to me conforming the Government’s commitment to extend the concession, guaranteeing free off-peak local bus travel anywhere in England from April 2008.

“I am pleased with this commitment which is a step in the right direction in terms of improving the standard of public transport for many people.”