Press Release

GOVERNMENT SHOULD JUMP ON BOARD CONCESSIONARY TRAVEL MOMENTUM, SAYS HELP THE AGED

1st April, 2008

Responding to the Transport Committee Report, Ticketing and Concessionary Travel on Public Transport, Amy Swan, policy officer for Help the Aged, says:

“Concessionary travel is a great scheme. Older people rely heavily on public transport – research shows that without it many have very limited access to a bank, friends and family or health and social services*. 

“But public transport encompasses more than just local buses and concessionary travel funding should reflect this.  It’s currently a postcode lottery that determines what enhancements and alternatives to the bus pass are available for older people. 

“A study into the benefits of concessionary travel will help to show it is often the most in need that are essentially denied concessions – 45 per cent of people 70 and over have difficulty using buses.  For people with limited mobility or poor local bus services, it is essential that other concessionary transport options are also available. The Department for Transport should provide guidance for local authorities on how to make this happen.”