§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish the results of his survey with local authorities to assess the impact of the introduction of the statutory minimum requirement for concessionary fares introduced under the Transport Act 2000. [46858]
§ Ms KeebleMy Department will be publishing the results of the survey on 28 March. A copy of the Statistics Bulletin will be placed in the Library and will be available on my Department's website (www.dtlr.gov.uk) shortly.
956WThe statutory minimum requirement for concessionary fares was introduced in Spring 2001 and guarantees all elderly and disabled people half-fare or better on local bus services, with a free bus pass.
The survey of local authorities in England was undertaken at the end of last year to assess the impact of the introduction of the statutory minimum requirement in each local authority area. The survey showed that over 50 per cent. of local authorities now offer a more generous concessionary fares scheme than before the introduction of the statutory minimum requirement, and 17 local authorities have introduced a concessionary fares scheme where none previously existed.
Ninety four per cent. of local authorities offer a half fare concession for elderly people and 90 per cent. offer half fare for disabled people. The remaining local authorities either offer flat rate fares or free travel. Just under half of local authorities offer concessions on modes of public transport other than local buses.