Proposals to lower the age for free bus travel in England and Wales to 60 have had a key response from the Government. A petition on the Parliament website is urging the Department for Transport to make it the same for everyone around the country.
It surged past 10,000 signatures meaning the government has to make an official response – and not officals from the Department for Transport have made their case. It warned that the current English National Concessionary Travel Scheme which supports free off peak travel in England for the over 66s costs £700 million a year.
It pointed out that local authorities have the power to offer additional concessions – and in London and Merseyside for example those over 60 get free travel. However it expressed concerns for the financial cost of extending it to everyone in England – even though the devolved authorities in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have done so.
The petition created by Karen Hickman said it was unfair that everyone in England don’t get the same rights for travel on the bus network as those people over 60 in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The petition said: “We call on the Government to extend free bus travel to all people over 60 years old in England outside London. We believe the current situation is unjust and we want equality for everyone over 60.
“Currently, people in England who do not live in London are not entitled to free bus travel until they reach the state pension age, which we believe has changed dramatically. As people get older some over 60s drive less and less, therefore we believe we need equality on public transport. It would mean England had the same provision as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
The full Department for Transport response is as follows: “The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme costs around £700 million annually. Any changes to the statutory scheme must be carefully considered for their impact on its financial sustainability.
“The government wants everyone to have access to public transport and is committed to improving services. We also recognise the importance of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) in supporting local bus travel, assisting with access to essential local services and helping those who use it to stay active and avoid isolation.
“The ENCTS provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as lowering the age of eligibility, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.
“Local authorities in England do have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, for example, by extending the age of eligibility for the older persons’ bus pass. These are additional local concessions provided and funded by local authorities from local resources, depending on the needs and priorities of each area.
“At the Budget on 30 October, the government confirmed a £1 billion boost for buses, of which £712 million has been allocated to local authorities to support and improve bus services. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available in the local area.
“Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area and as such, the eligibility age for the bus pass differs between the devolved nations of the United Kingdom. This means, in effect, that there are different schemes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so the administrative arrangements are entirely separate.”
In England some councils offer free travel for the over 60s but it is not universal. Merseytravel offers free travel on all buses, trains and Mersey Ferries river crossings for anyone aged 60 or over who lives in Merseyside. Most local authorities, which are currently under great financial pressure, offer the statutory pass at 66.
The petition has hit 16,000 signatures and at 100,000 it could be debated in Parliament. To sign up click here.