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The age at which you can apply for a bus pass is changing, please follow link for details.
A consultation on a new distribution of £223m funding for the hugely popular free bus pass that will be fairer for councils was announced by the Department for Transport yesterday.
Following the extension of the concessionary travel scheme in April 2008 to free off-peak local bus travel anywhere in England, the Government provided additional funding to councils who administer the scheme, taking the total amount spent to around £1 billion every year.
However, following concerns that some councils have received too much money, whereas others not enough, the Department for Transport is re-considering how the money is distributed.
Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said:
“The free bus pass is a popular policy giving 11 million older and disabled people greater freedom and independence. Around £1 billion is now spent in total on this scheme every year with over £200 million devoted to extending it to travel anywhere in England. Ensuring this extra money is distributed fairly and to where it's needed most is critical to the continued success of the scheme.
“We have listened to concerns raised by some councils about the way the grant has been allocated and also assessed last year's spending to ensure that we are getting it right. Today we are publishing a proposed revised grant distribution for 2010/11 which seeks to better match the pattern of costs being incurred.
"The changes we are proposing build on the success of the national bus concession and will not in any way affect older or disabled bus users who use the scheme. I now look forward to hearing views from authorities and hope to publish the final grant distribution early in the New Year.”
In total around 200 authorities will receive more money or will be unaffected by the revised distribution. Overall the total amount of money allocated will remain unchanged.
The special grant funding is in addition to the amount Government provides each year for concessionary travel through the formula grant process which continues to be the route for the bulk of Government funding. The special grant brings total spending on concessionary travel to around £1 billion a year.
Read more http://www.lep.co.uk/travel/2m-cost-of-39free39-buses.5527510.jp
National concessionary travel scheme leaves popular destinations with bills and job losses as funding falls short. To read the full Guardian article please click the link. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/jul/31/national-concessionary-travel-pensioners-cost
There has been publicity in the National press regarding the withdrawal of free bus travel for pensioners on National Express, coaches and excursion services. The Times Article is an example. The publicity has been generated as a result of the The Travel Concessions (Eligible Services) (Amendment) Order 2009, published to give a greater certainty about which services are eligible for concessions. Travel Concession Authorities (TCAs) who administer concessionary travel are responsible for assessing bus services against the criteria to determine whether a service should be included within the mandatory national concession.
The introduction of the National Scheme in April 2008 allowed for free off peak travel on local bus services throughout England. This did not include free travel on coach excursions, National Express services or long distance express type services, trams or the London Underground. Some authorities offer enhancements to the National Scheme please click here for additional concessions available to NoWcard holders. Please note there has been no change to the 'Express Services' which are eligible for the National Concession in Lancashire and Cumbria, also because Preston's Park & Ride services are registered as local bus services they will continue to accept all England National Concession bus passes for off peak travel.
From 1st April onwards the Hyndburn peak concession will be withdrawn. More Information
The Nowcard helpline will be closed on the following week days over the Christmas period:
Wednesday 24 December 2008
Thursday 25 December 2008
Friday 26 December 2008
Thursday 1 January 2009
Friday 2 January 2009
Congratulating all the finalists, UK Bus Awards chairman John Owen said that the standard of entries had been “amazingly high”. He added, “Our winners today are delivering innovation and marketing, supported by top quality customer service. The result is strong passenger growth and a shift from car to bus in towns and cities all over the country.”
The partnership of Cumbria County Council, Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool Councils, in conjunction with the local bus operators, is introducing ITSO smartcards across all 1,800 buses in the partnership area.
Concessionary bus travel is the first thing the smartcard is being used for, partly to ensure the technology becomes established. The long term development will focus on the need to include all possible smartcard ticket products which could be used on-bus. These include period tickets, carnets and an electronic purse.
NoWcard is already the largest smart scheme in England to conform to the ITSO national specification with 1.7 million transactions per month.
This leading technological innovation is complemented by unparallel co-operation with bus operators, and has been welcomed by drivers and passengers alike. It's transforming the image of bus travel in the North West.
Effective 5th October 2008: Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool's disabled NoWcard holders will be eligible to a 50p flat fare concession on local bus services before 09:30 weekdays, on journeys starting or ending in Lancashire. This local concession is funded by Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Blackpool Council's and is only available to disabled NoWcard holders resident in these areas. Travel before 0930 at weekends and public holidays remains free to all NoWcard holders.
From 5th October 2008 Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool's NoWcard holders will not receive travel concessions on local bus services operating in Lancashire after 23:00 Mondays to Fridays. There are no restrictions on Saturdays Sundays and public holidays.
