Issued: 28 December 2005
Free Scotland-wide Bus Travel for Older and Disabled People
Angus Council's Infrastructure Services Convener
David Selfridge gets in the picture with
a giant concession card
Free Scotland-wide bus travel for older and disabled people is being introduced on 1 April 2006.
Although the new initiative does not start for another six months, Angus Council's existing bus pass holders have already been contacted to let them know how to apply for their new national entitlement card which will replace the existing Angus travel concession pass.
David Selfridge, the council's Infrastructure Services convener and an existing concessionary cardholder encouraged other cardholders to register with the new scheme. "I've already completed my application form and taken it along to the post office for processing. I've made sure that I'm registered for the new entitlement card and I encourage other cardholders to do the same."
Existing cardholders have been sent application forms, once completed anyone with an existing 'C' or 'D' pass for persons over 60 years of age needs to take this, along with their current bus pass, to local Post Offices for validation and processing. Anyone with an 'A' disabled person pass or 'B' blind persons pass needs to send their application form back to Angus Council's Transport Team for verification and processing.
Transport Minister Tavish Scott said: "Over a million people are set to benefit from the major expansion of existing concessionary bus services. This free national bus travel scheme will provide greater travel choice as well as connecting people and communities up and down the country. "I am delighted that we will be able to extend free bus travel, allowing some of Scotland's most vulnerable people greater access to everyday services at any time of day. It gives older and disabled people a greater opportunity to see more of their friends, see more of their family and see more of Scotland." Councillor Selfridge praised the new scheme saying: "The new scheme applies Scotland-wide which means cardholders will be able to enjoy completely free bus travel wherever they go in Scotland. I would urge all existing card holders within Angus to take advantage of the new benefit by following the information contained within their letters."
"Angus card holders will also continue to enjoy the free or reduced rail travel within the county and to and from Dundee thanks to Angus Council's local concessionary travel scheme for disabled or older people."
The new entitlement cards will not be issued until March 2006, ready for the April 1 start date, so the existing Angus Council concessionary travel passes will be in use until then. The entitlement card is electronic and in the future may be used to access other local council services.
Anyone with any queries about the completion of the application form or the new entitlement card should contact the council's ACCESS Line on 08452 777 778. More information and application forms can also be found on the Concessionary Travel page in the A-Z of Services.