Issued: 23 November 2001
EXTENDED FREE TRAVEL SCHEME FOR ANGUS
Older and disabled people in Angus are set to benefit from an extended free bus travel scheme next year.
Angus Council is adding to the free travel concession schemes for older and disabled people being introduced in Scotland next October by removing travel time restrictions and extending the scheme beyond the Council’s boundaries.
Speaking after the Council’s Planning & Transport Policy Committee (Thursday 22 November) convener David Selfridge welcomed the extended scheme.
"The Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 proposes the introduction of free bus travel for elderly and disabled people. This is a very welcome move which will be of great benefit to a significant number of people," said Councillor Selfridge.
"The new scheme, which will come into effect from October of next year, requires local authorities to introduce free local bus service travel within the Council’s boundaries after 9.30am on weekdays and all day at weekends.
"Angus Council has decided to extend this provision by removing the peak time restriction and provide free bus travel on the existing designated concessionary routes which operate outwith the Council’s boundaries. The council is also continuing to press the Scottish Executive to extend the national scheme to provide free bus and rail travel across the whole of Scotland."
The current Angus Travel Concession Scheme allows for travel within Angus and to and from Alyth, Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus and Dundee, including transport within Dundee to Ninewells Hospital.
The Scottish Executive has arranged for surveys to be carried out to determine the impact of the new scheme. In Angus passenger surveys will be carried out in Forfar and Arbroath