HC Deb 12 June 1978 vol 951 c351W
Mr. Arthur Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will issue a circular to local authorities on the introduction and operation of concessionary fares schemes advising that all retirement pensioners should be covered.

Mr. Bowden

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will issue a circular to local authorities on the introduction and operation of concessionary fares schemes advising that all retirement pensioners should be covered.

Mr. Horam

Circular DTp 2/78 Welsh Office 8/78 issued on 13th January, advised local authorities in England and Wales that when introducing new or improved schemes of concessionary fares they should aim to meet about half the cost of the off-peak local bus fares that would otherwise be paid by pensioners.

Concessionary fares cannot benefit all pensioners, since some either cannot use buses or do not have access to them, so the circular advises local authorities to consider alternative ways of helping them.