HC Deb 02 February 1990 vol 166 cc376-7W
Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under what statute transport undertakings in Northern Ireland are able to offer concessionary fares; and what arrangements are made to reimburse them for the cost of such schemes.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The concessionary fares scheme in Northern Ireland, sponsored by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland and administered by the passenger transport undertakings, is provided under article 5 of the Transport (NI) Order 1977. The Department reimburses the undertakings on the basis of claims which are subject to audit.

Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the' Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what categories of person are currently eligible for consessionary fares on Ulsterbus, Citybus and Northern Ireland Railways; and what are the numbers in each category who have used concessionary fares in the last year.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The concessionary fares scheme provides unlimited travel at half fare at all times on all scheduled services by road and rail throughout Northern Ireland for passengers over 65-years-old, children up to the age of 16 years and war disabled pensioners. Registered blind people are entitled to free travel.

The passenger transport undertakings do not maintain records of the number of people in each category who are entitled to half fare concession. Taken together there were about 17.7 million passenger journeys by public transport at half fare in the last year. There are 1,163 registered blind person passes in issue at present.

Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether consideration was given to including a concessionary travel scheme for disabled people in the draft Transport (Amendment) Northern Ireland Order 1989 similar to that provided for in the London Regional Transport Act 1984; what representations were received on the question of a concessionary scheme for the disabled; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Article 5 of the Transport (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 already makes satisfactory statutory provision for concessionary travel schemes in Northern Ireland. The draft Order has been given a general welcome. Such representations were not made.