Written question asked by Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 20 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 October 2003. It was answered by Tony McNulty (Labour) on Thursday, 23 October 2003 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to offer free travel for under-16s on buses when accompanied by an adult; and if he will make a statement; if he will list the (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies which offer free travel for under-16s on buses when accompanied by an adult; how many passengers under-16 were carried (i) before, and (ii) after implementation; and if he will make a statement. - Includes fact that figures not collected centrally.

Answer: Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to offer free travel for under-16s on buses when accompanied by an adult; and if he will make a statement; [134017] (2) if he will list the (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies which offer free travel for under-16s on buses when accompanied by an adult; how many passengers under 16 were carried (i) before, and (ii) after implementation; and if he will make a statement. [134018] Mr. McNulty: There have been no measures to encourage local authorities and bus companies to offer free travel for under-16s on buses when accompanied by an adult. Free travel to and from school is provided by local education authorities under the education acts for school children up to the age of 16 living more than the statutory walking distances from school. Under the Transport Act 1985 local authorities have a discretionary power to provide concessionary travel for children of school age. That power applies to all journeys, not just those to or from school. We do not collect information on what bus companies offer for this age group nor on how many passengers under 16 were carried before and after implementation of any discount schemes.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 411 c672W;411 c677-8W; 134017;134018
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Bus services Buses Concessions Fares Exemptions Local government Pupils Passengers Young people
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk