Review of Older and Disabled Persons Concessionary Bus Scheme
When the National Concessionary Bus Scheme was established in 2006 the then Scottish Executive agreed with the Confederation of Passenger Transport, on behalf of bus operators, that the Scheme would be subject to a Review during year three of its operation. This Review is intended to reflect on the experience of operating the Scheme from April 2006 to April 2008.
The Scottish Government believes the review should consider:
- The demand for and utilisation of the present scheme
- How effectively the scheme is meeting the objectives set for it
- How the present scheme is meeting the needs of particular groups of bus users, including disabled people
- How best to improve access for injured ex-forces veterans
- How the practical operation of the scheme can be improved
- The implications of any extension to the scheme
- Whether the scheme is delivering value for money to the taxpayer
The Scottish Government also seek the views of: The Passenger Transport Users Committee for Scotland, the Mobility and Access Committee Scotland, the bus industry and local authorities. The Review is expected to be completed over the next six months with any necessary amendments to the current scheme brought to Parliament in Spring 2009.
An Evaluation of the National Concessionary Travel Schemes in Scotland is due to be completed by August 2008 - this piece of work will inform the review. The evaluation consists of both quantitative and qualitative elements, including postal questionnaires, on-street surveys, focus groups and consultations, and will develop our understanding of behaviour and behavioural change since the inception of each scheme.
The key objectives of the older and disabled national concessionary fares policy are to:
- Allow older and disabled people (especially those on low incomes) improved access to services, facilities and social networks by 'free' scheduled bus services; and so promote social inclusion
- To improve health by promoting a more active lifestyle for the elderly and disabled
- To remove the restrictions of the previous local off-peak concessionary fare scheme which produced differences in access to facilities in different areas of Scotland
- Promote modal shift from private car to public transport
- Maintain no better; no worse off position for bus operators with standard reimbursement rate
- Provide opportunity for improvements to public transport (e.g. assist development of multi-operator ticketing; use of improved Electronic Ticket Machine (ETM) technology)
- Facilitate a more effective administration of the system with adoption of standard reimbursement rate and shift of operational responsibility from local authorities to Transport Scotland
- Provide a stimulus to the introduction of SMARTCARD