FUNDING FOR OFF-PEAK CONCESSIONARY FARE SCHEME

Motion Text

That this House notes the Government's announcement in the 2005 Budget of the introduction of the off-peak concessionary bus fare scheme from April 2006, which allows free travel to those over 60 years old or registered disabled within a particular geographical district, but remains extremely concerned that the £350 million identified for the funding of the project will be insufficient to cater for a substantial increase in the uptake and usage of bus passes; further notes that within areas such as Hertfordshire, and other similar communities where there is no one dominant town, the withdrawal of half-price travel to neighbouring districts, and restricting passes to a single district, will have substantial negative impact for many; and calls on the Government to ensure that the funding for each district has been specially identified before implementation in order to ensure that council tax calculations are not affected.