For Immediate Release
11th March 2008
MP URGES RESIDENTS TO SIGN UP FOR FREE NATIONAL BUS TRAVEL
Local MP John Healey wants everyone who is over the age of 60 or disabled to sign up for free bus travel in time for 1 April.
On 1 April everyone who is either registered disabled or over the age of 60 will be entitled to free off-peak local bus travel anywhere in the country - enabling them to visit friends and relatives, enjoy a day out, or holiday in villages, towns and cities using local buses for free. This means that pass-holders will also be able to travel into other local authority areas for shopping trips or to visit local attractions.
Over 55,000 people in Rotherham will be eligible.
Local MP John Healey said:
"This is something that I started as a Treasury Minister and I am pleased that it has been broadly welcomed and widely used. The scheme has given many pensioners and disabled people new opportunities to get out and about without worrying about the costs.
"This extension means that pass-holders visiting Rotherham can use our buses too, and that people from Rotherham can use their pass if they are visiting relatives or on holiday in other areas of the country.
If you are over 60 or registered disabled, and want to find out how to get your new bus pass, contact Traveline on 01709 515151 or visit your nearest Travel Information Centre.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
1) From 1st April 2008 everyone over 60 and eligible disabled people will be able to travel for free on local buses no matter where they are in England from 9.30am until 11pm every weekday and all day at weekends.
2) 11 million elderly and disabled people will benefit from this.
3) Local authorities will still be able to add top-ups to the national scheme if they wish to do so, for example by funding passes to be used on trains, providing carers with passes or extending hours of travel to before 9.30am.
4) Altogether approximately £1billion per year will be spent on concessionary travel for older and disabled people in England.
5) For further details on the scheme go to http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/buses/concessionary/answerstofaq/answerstocbtfaq?page=1#a1001
Contact for further information:
Joanne Wilson, Researcher to John Healey MP, Tel - 01709 875943