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Concessionary Bus Travel Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 11: 11: Clause 1, page 2, line 11, at end insert— ““(4B) If a disabled person is unable to access mainstream public transport as a result of their impairment the travel concession authority in England shall mark that clearly on the permit. (4C) Where a person whose current statutory travel concession permit is marked in accordance with subsection (4B) they shall be entitled to a waiver of the fare for a journey when using a dial a ride vehicle, community transport service, hackney carriage vehicle or other door to door transport. (4D) The Secretary of State shall issue guidance to travel concession authorities in England to which they shall have regard in determining for subsection (4C) whether a disabled person needs to travel by door to door transport. (4E) Before issuing guidance under subsection (4D) the Secretary of State shall consult— (a) the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee; (b) associations representative of travel concession authorities; and (c) such other persons as the Secretary of State thinks fit.”” The noble Baroness said: Amendment No. 11 and the other amendments in the group are probing. I acknowledge immediately that they would have the financial implications that we have been talking about and I am sure the Minister will be able to enlighten us on how much they would be. However, I shall put on record the principle behind the amendments. They would allow for the provision of door-to-door transport for those unable to access mainstream public transport and would also allow a companion to accompany them who, under this scheme, would be exempt from cost. Even where more accessible vehicles have been introduced on public transport routes, they will never be a viable option for some disabled people, even with assistance. Concessionary fares should therefore also be available on community transport and door-to-door services. Other disabled people may need door-to-door transport because of the inaccessibility of the pedestrian environment already referred to by the noble Lord, Lord Low, or because it is a rural area and too far to go on foot. For example, there may be a lack of dropped kerbs or barriers on the footway—all the things that impact on making it difficult for people with disabilities to walk. The amendments would also allow for a companion to travel free with a disabled person, both inside and outside London, where it is necessary for the disabled person to be able to make the journey because of their impairment. Not all disabled people are able to access mainstream public transport on their own and it is not only people with physical or sentient disabilities who are so affected. There are also particular issues for people with phobias or who experience high levels of anxiety or disorientation in busy or unfamiliar places. Those people may also need someone with them for support. Concessions should be available to allow a companion to travel free of charge where it is necessary to access mainstream public transport. That is already provided for under both the Welsh scheme, on which the amendment is based, and the scheme in Dorset. I beg to move.