Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Transport Scotland submission of 17 February 2022
PE1928/A - Provide free rail travel for disabled people who meet the qualifications for free bus travel
ScotRail currently has no plans to introduce free travel for disabled people, but do offer discounted fares through the Disabled Persons Railcard as well as providing free travel for blind passengers by participating in that scheme owned by Scotland’s local authorities. The Scottish government is committed to considering discounted and concessionary fares across public transport as part of its Fair Fares Review.
Our Fair Fares Review is part of a broader package of work being taken forward by Transport Scotland to ensure that there is a viable and sustainable transport system for the future. Immediate priorities for this work include ensuring that our transport system is aligned with the prevailing Covid-19 conditions, the Scottish Government`s updated Covid-19 Strategic Framework and the Covid Recovery Strategy, providing up to date guidance and communications support to passengers and operators, and securing a safe and confident return to public transport as we recover from the pandemic.
The Fair Fares Review, which is currently in its planning stages, is being undertaken to ensure a sustainable and integrated approach to public transport fares in the future. The review will look at the range of discounts and concessionary schemes which are available on all modes including bus, rail and ferry. It will take cognisance of the cost and availability of services, and will consider options against a background where the costs of car travel are declining and public transport costs are increasing.
We anticipate that the Fair Fares Review will be ongoing until the end of 2023 and we will engage with stakeholders as this work progresses.
You may wish to note that through the Accessible Going Further: Scotland’s Accessible Travel Framework | Transport Scotland we seek to ensure that disabled people can travel with the same freedom, choice and dignity as other travellers.