Free Bus Travel across Scotland for older and disabled people

12.00.00am GMT Thu 23rd Dec 2004

Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown has welcomed the announcement that free bus travel for the elderly and disabled will be extended to cover travel across the whole of Scotland. The morning peak time restriction will also be abandoned.

Robert Brown said

"The existing bus concession is one of the most popular things that we have done and this new wider scheme carries out another promise made by the Liberal Democrats at the Scottish elections and is included in the Partnership Agreement.

"I am delighted that the local scheme boundaries will be removed. This will allow older and disabled people to travel free by bus anywhere in Scotland and at any time. Travel by bus will also be made simpler by the introduction of Smartcards which should make travel by bus more accessible for all involved."

"At present there are discrepancies between local authorities as to what constitutes free travel. The new simpler scheme will be introduced in April 2006 and will allow the elderly and disabled to get about much easier than before and as importantly, when they wish to travel rather than when is regarded as off-peak."

"We are making public transport more available to everyone. The nationwide scheme which allows older people and the disabled to travel across Scotland for free is only the start. The Executive have also agreed to provide a concessionary scheme for young people and this will be followed by a full review of public transport support for disabled people."

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