Bus Users UK has challenged the government’s reasoning for confirming it does not have plans to put in place a reciprocal agreement between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to allow free travel for pensioners across the UK.
Under-Secretary of State for Transport Simon Lightwood was responding to a written parliamentary question from Elsie Blundell, a Labour MP who is a member of the Transport Committee.
Mrs Blundell, MP for Heywood and Middleton North, asked whether the government had “made an assessment of the potential merits of a reciprocal agreement”.
In his response on 27 November, the minister with remit for buses says: “Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area so the administrative arrangements in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland differ from those in England. There are no plans at present to introduce such an arrangement.”
However, as recent Department for Transport data shows patronage among those with an older or disabled person’s pass is lagging behind in the recovery from the pandemic, Bus Users UK has urged the government to find a solution which could boost bus usage among this group.
Lydia Horbury, the charity’s Director for England, says: “Bus Users UK has long called for reform of the concessionary travel scheme, including the introduction of reciprocal cross-border arrangements. Artificial internal borders within the UK create unnecessary barriers, particularly for people with disabilities who live or work near neighbouring regions.
“Transport may be devolved, but the NHS offers a clear example of how a back-office system can ensure funding flows smoothly across borders, allowing patients to access care wherever they need it. With the right political will, a similar approach could be applied to transport, ensuring that passengers are not penalised for crossing these invisible lines within our country.”
Meanwhile, Louise Haigh, speaking last month before her resignation as Transport Secretary, confirmed in Parliament that consideration of extending bus travel fare concessions to young people would be made as part of the review of the ending of bus fare cap scheme in England.
Responding on 18 November to the idea of free bus travel for children, she says: “Throughout next year, we will be looking at the bus fare cap and considering whether we can extend a concession of some kind to young people”.
That came a week before Scotland’s free bus travel for under-22s again was again cited in the Scottish Parliament as a factor in the rise of anti-social behaviour and crime on buses and at interchanges.
