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The countdown is on to the new bus pass concession giving Leicestershire residents free England-wide local bus travel and the opportunity for days out to some of the region's favourite landmarks.
From next month, 1 April, the concession will enable Leicestershire's residents aged sixty or over, or eligible disabled residents to travel on any local bus route in England, off-peak, for free. Within Leicestershire, more than 85,000 new passes have already been produced for eligible passholders With just a few weeks to go, residents will soon be able to grab a free ticket to ride to places of interest or natural beauty both in the county and further afield. Bus users could take a trip over the border, for example, to see sights and attractions across the East Midlands, which were voted for by residents in last year's Pride of Place poll. People can use their pass to travel for free once they get to the relevant county as several local buses serve the following winning sites: * Leicestershire's own Bradgate Park and Loughborough's Town Hall
* Lincolnshire's Cathedral and Brayford Waterfront
* Nottinghamshire's Sky Mirror, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground and Clumber Park And as the scheme is England-wide, eligible bus users can enjoy visiting attractions, accessing services and visiting friends and family across the country too. Commenting on the scheme, Transport Minister Rosie Winterton said: "When it comes to local beauty, fantastic shopping facilities and popular visitor attractions, Leicestershire has it all. So our aim is to give eligible bus pass holders throughout the East Midlands and beyond the freedom and independence to make the most of this county. "By providing pass holders with free travel on local bus services all over England, we also hope that the new scheme will appeal to their sense of adventure, encourage them to continue their explorations further afield. " For more information on the new national bus concession visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/buspass Notes to Editors: Eligible disabled residents in Leicestershire will get the added benefit of free travel at all times, whilst a half-fare concession for people aged 60 or over is available on many peak time journeys.. * For further information on the new England wide Bus Concession including details on how to register, people aged 60 or over or eligible disabled people will need to contact their existing pass provider. They can log on to http://www.direct.gov.uk/buspass if they are unsure who this is. * Local authorities that signed up to the poll did so voluntarily; not every council in England was involved. The Poll was part of the Communities and Local Government's ongoing 'Connect to your Council' campaign, which encourages citizens to make their council websites a first port of call for services and information. Residents can now use council websites to find out anything from bin collection rotas to how to apply for school places. The new bus concession
From 1st April 2008, people aged 60 and over and eligible disabled whose principle residence is England, will be able to take advantage of free off-peak local bus travel anywhere in England. Off-peak is 9.30am to 11pm on weekdays and anytime on weekends and Bank Holidays. The new statutory entitlement will give up to 11 million eligible people more freedom and independence, greater access to vital services such as hospitals and shops, and the opportunity to travel more economically when visiting friends and family living in other parts of England. The England bus concession covers free off-peak local bus travel in England for people aged 60 and over and eligible disabled people. It does not cover national coach travel or other modes of transport. However, individual Travel Concession Authorities (TCAs) are able to extend the travel benefits (such as to tubes, trains and all day travel) at their own discretion. These additional benefits are funded by the relevant TCA and so are likely to be available only to people living in the TCA's area. England Bus Concession Background
In 2000, a half price off-peak local bus travel statutory minimum concession was introduced in England for people aged 60 and over and eligible disabled within their local travel area. In 2006, this was extended to free off-peak local bus travel. From 1st April 2008 the concession will be extended to free off-peak local bus travel throughout England. The Government is providing additional funding of £212 million a year from April 2008 to fund the England-wide bus concession. Getting a new bus pass
Outside London, eligible concessionaires will need to replace their existing local bus passes will new England-wide passes. These will be issued by their local TCA. In London, concessionaires will not get a new pass. Instead, their existing Freedom Pass will be re-stickered with the England concessionary logo in order to show eligibility for the England wide bus concession. London concessionaires will continue to enjoy the same benefits as they currently do when travelling within London. When travelling in England outside London their pass would be valid only for off peak local bus travel, in line with the England concession. Concessionary pass holders from outside London would, when in London, enjoy free travel only on buses. People are advised to contact their local pass provider or visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/buspass for details of any local benefits or for more information on the England concession and eligibility. |
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