Thousands of people have signed an online petition calling for a review to the concessionary travel scheme.
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The UK Government has been asked to ‘revise’ the response it gave to an online petition calling for changes to be made to the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) to bring it into line with the same service provided by the Scottish Government for people over 60 living north of the border. Nearly 40,000 people have signed the e-petition created by Karen Hickman.
The Department for Transport responded to the proposals last month, saying that the concessionary travel scheme costs around £700 million each year and any changes “must be carefully considered for their impact on its financial sustainability”. However, the Petitions Committee has now asked for a revised response.
Ms Hickman argues that the current scheme is “unjust” and calls for “equality for everyone over 60”. The campaigner explained people in England, living outside London, are not entitled to free bus travel until they reach State Pension age – 66 for both men and women – which she believes has “changed dramatically.”
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The ‘extend free bus travel for people over 60 in England’ petition states: “We call on the Government to extend free bus travel to all people over 60 years old in England outside London. We believe the current situation is unjust and we want equality for everyone over 60.
“Currently, people in England who do not live in London are not entitled to free bus travel until they reach the state pension age, which we believe has changed dramatically. As people get older some over 60s drive less and less, therefore we believe we need equality on public transport.
“It would mean England had the same provision as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
On February 12, the Department responded: “The Government wants everyone to have access to public transport and is committed to improving services. We also recognise the importance of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) in supporting local bus travel, assisting with access to essential local services and helping those who use it to stay active and avoid isolation.
“The ENCTS provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as lowering the age of eligibility, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.”
It added: “Local authorities in England do have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, for example, by extending the age of eligibility for the older persons’ bus pass. These are additional local concessions provided and funded by local authorities from local resources, depending on the needs and priorities of each area.”
The Department also explained that concessionary travel is a devolved policy area, adding that “the eligibility age for the bus pass differs between the devolved nations of the United Kingdom”.
It added: “This means, in effect, that there are different schemes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so the administrative arrangements are entirely separate.”
You can read the full response on the petitions-parliament website here. At 100,000 signatures, the Petitions Committee will consider the petition for debate in Parliament.
There are two broad categories of people eligible for the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme – older people and eligible disabled people. Both men and women are eligible for concessionary travel in England when they reach state pension age, 60 in Scotland.
Eligibility for concessionary travel may vary depending on local authorities and the specific terms of the concessionary travel scheme in place.
National Entitlement Card in Scotland
In Scotland, people over 60 are eligible to apply for the National Entitlement Card (NEC), which is administered by the Scottish Government. It is Scotland’s National Smartcard, offering access to many public services across the country.
The card gives elderly and disabled people free bus travel across Scotland and, through the Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme, also provides reductions on train, Subway and ferry fares.
The NEC is valid for up to three years, but in a change to the renewal process, SPT no longer sends out renewal forms to disabled card holders. This means everyone with a card – sometimes referred to as a ‘Saltire card’ – should check the expiry date to make sure they will be able to enjoy uninterrupted entitlement to travel concessions.
SPT recommends applying for a renewal card at least five weeks before the expiry date. It’s also important to be aware guidance on the SPT website states the Concessionary Travel Card Unit at Buchanan Bus Station will be closed for in person applications until further notice.
