Hampshire’s new bus pass scheme is announced - what are your views in Hedge End?

Following the announcement of the change for responsibility for running the National Concessionary Travel Scheme - providing free bus passes for people over 60 and for people with disabilities - moving from district to county council level, Hampshire County Council (HCC) has now released details of how the new scheme will work in Hampshire.

From 1 April 2011 people aged over 60 will be entitled to free bus travel from 9.30am to 11pm, Monday to Friday, and at any time at the weekend.

Children and adults over five years who meet the criteria for a disabled pass will be eligible for free bus travel all day (from before 9.30am until close of service); will receive a companion pass where they’re unable to travel alone due to their disability; will be entitled to half fare travel on defined community transport schemes; and could instead of using the pass opt to have vouchers (to the value of £32) for use on defined community transport schemes, voluntary car schemes and taxis.

The cost to provide this new scheme has been calculated at £13,275m for 2011/12.

Councillor Mel Kendal, Executive Member for Environment, said: “We are required by law to publish a concessionary travel scheme by 1 December, before we know how much funding the Government will be allocating to Hampshire for this. 

“We also find ourselves in the position of devising a scheme for free travel at a time when there are significant public spending cuts and uncertainty over future Government funding for local transport.  Furthermore, the Government has stated it is expecting to achieve 12% efficiency savings through the transfer of the service from district to county councils.

“The County Council consulted widely with individuals, community groups and district and borough partners, over twelve weeks to ensure any decision made took their views into account.  Whilst we have been unable to meet some of the priorities this identified, I am of the opinion that the scheme we will adopt is one that will ensure consistency across the county.  It allows for free bus travel between 9.30am and 11pm, and at any time at weekends, is enhanced to meet the needs of disabled users and is affordable within the anticipated budget.”

If additional funding becomes available the council hopes to introduce travel vouchers to enable people in rural areas without a commercial bus service to use community transport or voluntary car schemes and taxis, and to extend the hours of free travel to over 60s to begin before 9.30am.

The individual schemes currently provided by some districts on top of the statutory requirements have been costed at £18m and cannot be funded by HCC, but district councils can continue to fund these existing add-ons if they wish.

Existing concessionary passes that expire after 1 April 2011 will continue to be valid, although must be used in accordance with the terms of the new scheme after that date.

Did you take part in HCC’s feedback consultation asking for views on how the new concessionary bus pass scheme should work – see Hedgeendpeople story, Hampshire County Council wants your views on the Free Bus Pass Scheme in Hampshire?

Do you think this new scheme adequately replaces the previous provision?

Do you have a concessionary bus pass? What do you think of these new terms?

Whatever your views on the scheme, post them on Hedgeendpeople and share them with Hedge End!