Question reference: S5W-06568
- Asked by: Mike Rumbles, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 25 January 2017
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 26 January 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to make alterations to its concessionary travel scheme for people over 60 or who are in a disability scheme.
Answer
In the coming months the Scottish Government will be consulting on ways in which to ensure the longer term sustainability of the National Concessionary Travel Scheme.
Transport Scotland will be engaging initially with stakeholders to get their views, so that we understand the social, equality and other impacts of any potential changes. This will help inform a formal public consultation later in the year.
People are living longer, staying healthy longer, and staying in work later in life. We want to ensure that our successful concessionary travel scheme continues to benefit those who have the greatest reliance on free bus travel. We do not plan to make any changes to the eligibility criteria for the scheme for those with a disability. We are also mindful of the need to safeguard the position of existing card holders and ensure that any changes will not affect those already in possession of bus passes.