Written question asked by Lord Bradshaw (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Attlee (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 October 2011.

Transport: Coaches

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much the coach concessionary travel scheme costs; and what analysis they have made of the impact of removing this scheme on (a) the ability of disabled people and people over 60 to travel by coach, and (b) the frequency and ticket price of existing coach services.

Answer: In 2009, Government paid £16.9 million to coach operators who offered half price travel to eligible disabled and people over 60. A regulatory impact assessment relating to the ending of the BSOG coach concession in England will be published on the Department for Transport website and a copy placed in the Library of the House when the regulations which end the scheme come into effect. Following the 2010 spending review announcement, National Express said it was already planning for the removal of the coach concessionary fares scheme in October 2011 and would announce new products aimed at the over-60s and disabled travellers in due course. National Express said that it believed the financial impact of the scheme's removal was manageable and would be mitigated by its own plans.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 12267; 731 c64-5WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Disability Bus services Concessions Fares Expenditure Older people
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk