Support for concessionary travel scheme

As take-up of the free bus-pass for the over 60s tops 10,000 users in West Berkshire, Councillors last night agreed to increase the travel token allowance for people with disabilities to £70, and allocate £35,000 for volunteer car schemes.

Both moves will help the transport arrangements for people with disabilities, while it was confirmed that travel tokens for people over 60 would be stopped, given they are all now entitled to a free national bus pass.

An independent website survey last week showed at one point 70% of respondents to be in favour of stopping tokens for people over 60.

Last night's Council meeting was reminded that the free bus pass could be used on Readibus, West Berkshire Handybus and other community bus schemes, likely to include the Red Cross, and the Berkshire County Blind Society buses. Carers can accompany people with disabilities using their companion bus pass at no extra charge. There is also hospital travel benefit where those claiming support can have certain travel costs refunded.

It was also clarified that the free bus pass can be used on any local bus in England, whether that be in West Berkshire, London, Blackpool or Bournemouth and, as such, represents a considerable extra travel benefit for everyone over 60.

Issued on 4 March 2009 By West Berkshire Council