§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to introduce concessionary bus fares for pensioners. [53579]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonMost local authorities do already offer concessionary travel schemes for pensioners. Our White Paper "A New Deal for Transport" (Cm3950) said that we will introduce a national minimum standard for local authority concessionary fares schemes for elderly people, with a maximum £5 per year charge for a pass entitling the holder to travel at half fare on buses. The necessary legislation will be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time permits.