§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will introduce regulations to require local authorities in Wales to provide a mandatory concessionary travel scheme for blind and visually impaired people. [67448]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesUnder the Transport Act 1985 local authorities may provide travel concessions for people who are blind or partially sighted, although there is no requirement to do so. My priority with concessionary fares is to ensure that from April all authorities provide schemes for pensioners which meet the minimum standard of a £5 bus pass and half-fares, and then to move to free bus travel for pensioners over the next two to three years. This will of course benefit many blind and visually impaired people.
In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.