Select Committee on Transport Written Evidence


Annex A

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXTENDING CONCESSIONARY FARES ACROSS LOCAL AUTHORITY BOUNDARIES AND WIDENED TO INCLUDE COMMUNITY TRANSPORT SERVICES

  Research commissioned by DPTAC showed that bus frequency and accessibility were the most important factors if disabled people are to make more use of buses. It follows that any statutory concessionary fares scheme can only significantly improve disabled people's access to transport in areas with a frequent service, served by vehicles that are accessible to them. Buses that comply with the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulation (PSVAR) do not need to be fitted with audio/visual announcements, and this continues to exclude many people with visual or hearing impairments so we do not consider PSVAR-compliant buses to be fully accessible. It is estimated that 50% of bus services are accessible to passengers who use wheelchairs (100% in London) and that many routes throughout England are still served by older and even less accessible vehicles. The situation in rural areas is worse as, not only are the buses not accessible to people in wheelchairs, but services tend to be very limited.

  Community transport (including dial-a-ride) is provided locally to bridge this service gap. However, people using these services will pay more than for a comparable bus journey. Making accessible transport available improves social inclusion, including access to health, education and increases job opportunities. Cranfield University demonstrated the cost benefits to health and social services through the provision of appropriate, affordable transport, when the report was published the savings were between £256 million and £1.1 billion.

  Whilst there is a need for community transport to be part of the concessionary fares scheme, under the current financial arrangements via local authorities many are unable to participate. The Government's announcement last year to increase funds to local authorities to increase concessions locally does not currently include community transport. It is estimated that to extend free travel to community transport across England local authorities will need an additional £22 million.

  DPTAC urges the Government to consider this important issue whilst the review of concessionary fares is being undertaken for England.

May 2006





 
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