Concessionary fares consultation
I attended the 6th of nine HCC-hosted public forum to learn the current situation and future options, together with about 50 users and stakeholders, among otherthings discussed were Bus Passes or Concessionary Fares.
Mark Miller, an excellent independent transport planner facilitated on behalf of HCC.
o Bus passes try to achieve:
- Accessibility across all England, rural and urban
- Low income transport options
- Green agenda
- Active lifestyle for the elderly
o England’s statutory minimum can only be changed by an Act of Parliament (over 60’s & disabled over 5 years: 09.30 – 23.00 M-F, all day weekends & BH’s).
o discretionary extras paid by Local Councils include such things as extension to hours, community transport, vouchers/tokens for taxis, trains and buses. A CC contractor analyses & determines reimbursement to transport operators. Budgets are assessed on a per capita living basis, but not for visitors. This formula is being challenged in a couple of Court cases, especially in tourist areas. HCC currently subsidises bus operators to tune of £8M.
o Funding: Currently across Hampshire, 65% take-up with 193K passes. Minimum cost is £12.5M - £14.4M average – £17M for utopia. HCC is looking for 12% scheme efficiencies.
o It was announced on 1 April that basic eligibility will change to equalise with men’s retirement on a sliding scale by 2020.
o CC’s are taking all concessionary fares funding from District Councils to achieve economies of scale and will decide strategy, policy and funding powers.
o Timescales are aggressive:
- New scheme to be determined by Oct 2010
- Cabinet Paper to be published in Dec 2010
- Up and running by 1 April 2011
- Discretionary extras may be allowed to stay, but CC funding level won’t be known until Dec. HCC & Cabinet will decide what’s affordable.
- We were invited to submit priorities and the best way to apply for and issue bus passes (Co-op, Library, Post Office, online).Our priorities: pre-09.30 start and to retain tokens/vouchers.
To learn more please visit the Passenger Transport Forum site where you will find the Consultation feedback form to tell theforum your views on concessionary fares.
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Lorraine Clode