Report to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport
Report submitted by: Interim Executive Director for Environment
Date: 12 February 2015
Part I
Electoral Divisions affected:
All
The Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and
Blackpool Council - Joint Concessionary Travel Scheme 2015 – 2017
(Appendix 'A' refers)
Contact for further information:
Andrew Varley, 01772 533336, Environment Directorate
[email protected]
Executive Summary
The responsibility for mandatory Concessionary Travel Schemes lies with the Upper
Tier Authorities, County Councils and Unitary Authorities.
Lancashire County Council along with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and
Blackpool Council are the joint Travel Concession Authority (TCA) for Lancashire.
Lancashire County Council also administers the joint scheme on behalf of Blackburn
with Darwen Borough Council and Blackpool Council. A concessionary travel reimbursement rate has been negotiated with bus operators and a revised
Concessionary Travel Scheme for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2017 has
been produced, in accordance with the requirements of legislation.
Recommendation
The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport is asked to approve the revised
mandatory scheme, as set out at Appendix 'A', and agree that it is implemented from
1 April 2015.
Background and Advice
A mandatory bus concession for older and disabled people has been in place since
2001. The scheme has gradually been extended since its introduction and since April
2008 has provided free off-peak local bus travel to eligible older and disabled people
throughout England.
The mandatory bus concession is administered locally by Travel Concession
Authorities (TCAs). For schemes commencing on or after 1 April 2011 the following
authorities are TCAs: Upper Tier Authorities, County Councils and Unitary
Authorities.
In addition to the mandatory bus concession, which allows free travel anywhere in
England between the hours of 0930 and 2300 on Mondays to Fridays and at anytime
at weekends and bank holidays, TCAs and District Councils are also able to offer
discretionary concessionary travel schemes.
As a TCA, we are required by law to publish details of the scheme at least 28 days
before its commencement and full details of the scheme, which is for the period 1
April 2015 to 31 March 2017, can be found at Appendix 'A'. There are no significant
differences to the previous scheme apart from iv) and the scheme before and now
contain the following key points at i, ii and iii:
i.
A concessionary travel re-imbursement rate has been negotiated with bus
operators and the rate for period 2015-17 will remain at the current rate of
55p.
ii. A discretionary concessionary travel enhancement of the 50p flat fare for
Blind and Disabled pass holders travelling before 0930 will continue to be
provided and funded by the County Council for Lancashire residents.
iii. Holders of English National Concessionary travel passes issued by Blackpool
Council only can travel free of charge at certain times on Tramcar services in
Blackpool and Wyre. This discretionary concession is funded by Blackpool
Council for its residents, as at present. There are no additional discretionary
elements other than those outlined at ii and iii.
iv. The TCA's will also work with bus operators to develop a Hotlisting process to
prevent and any fraudulent card use issues.
Consultations
The objective of the Scheme is to reimburse bus operators so that they are "no
better and no worse off" for participating in the mandatory scheme. Consultation has
taken place with bus operators concerning the details of the scheme and the reimbursement rate.
Implications:
This item has the following implications, as indicated:
Risk management
Concessionary Travel is a mandatory scheme and the Scheme provides the
statutory level set out in the Transport Act 2000 as amended by the Concessionary
Bus Travel Act 2007 and also continues to provide certain enhanced concessions.
This document covers the reimbursement arrangements for both the Transport Act
1985 wider Scheme as well as the statutory minimum introduced under the
Transport Act 2000 as amended by the Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007.
Financial
The Environment Directorate revenue budget 2015/16 and 2016/17 includes
provision to meet the costs of the Concessionary fare reimbursement to operators
and the cost of administering the scheme.
Legal
Provision for travel concessions in England is contained in five pieces of primary
legislation: the Transport Act 1985, the Transport Act 2000, the Travel Concession
(Eligibility) Act 2002 and the Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007.
List of Background Papers
Paper
Date
Transport Act 1985
Andrew Varley
Environment Directorate
(01772) 533336.
Transport Act 2000
Travel Concession (eligibility)
Act 2002
1985
2000
Concessionary Bus Travel Act
2007
2002
Concessionary Travel for older
and disabled people:
2007
DfT guidance on reimbursing
operators (England)
2011
DfT guidance on reimbursing
operators (England)
2014
Reason for inclusion in Part II, if appropriate
N/A.
Contact/Directorate/Tel