Written question asked by Peter Ainsworth (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 April 2005. It was answered by Charlotte Atkins (Labour) on Monday, 4 April 2005 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether (a) pensioners and ( b) people with disabilities wishing to travel by bus to neighbouring local authority areas will benefit from the free bus pass proposed in the Budget.

Answer: Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) pensioners and (b) people with disabilities wishing to travel by bus to neighbouring local authority areas will benefit from the free bus pass proposed in the Budget. [223985] Charlotte Atkins: Concessionary fares schemes for older and disabled people are provided by non- metropolitan district councils, unitary councils, passenger transport executives and the London boroughs. Councils have the discretion to provide concessionary fares on journeys in neighbouring authorities, and authorities can agree to provide joint schemes over a wider area, such as a county, or a county and neighbouring unitary council. Many already do so and they will continue to be able to do so when the statutory minimum fare is increased from half fare to free fare in April 2006.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 432 c1183W; 223985
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Disability Bus services Concessions Fares Pensioners Public transport Travel
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk