Concessionary Travel

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To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of pensioners use concessionary travel in Shrewsbury and Atcham; and if he will make a statement on the availability of concessionary travel for pensioners in Shrewsbury and Atcham. [109685]

The percentage of pensioners in Shrewsbury and Atcham who claimed concessionary travel in the financial year 2002–03 was 73 per cent.From 1 June 2001 the Government have ensured that all pensioners have been entitled to a free bus pass allowing half-fare travel on local buses, as a minimum. Local authorities may also run more generous schemes if they wish. On 1 April 2003 local authority travel concessions were extended to men aged between 60 and 65.Shrewsbury and Atcham Council's Concessionary Travel Scheme offers pensioners and disabled people a choice of:

(a) Borough Half Fare Bus Card (statutory minimum), which entitles the recipient to half fare travel on local bus services in Shrewsbury and Atcham; or

(b) Half Fare Countywide Bus Card for which the recipient pays £16 and is entitled to half fare travel on local bus services in Shropshire and to certain towns just outside the county; or

(c) Unlimited Travel Bus Card for which the recipient pays £120 and is entitled to free travel on local bus services in Shrewsbury and Atcham and half fare travel in the rest of Shropshire; or

(d) Travel Tokens to the value of £25; or

(e) Senior Railcard for which the recipient pays £5 and is entitled to one-third off most rail fares nationwide. This option was only introduced from 1 April 2003.

With all of the Bus Cards listed above there are no time restrictions placed on the use of the card.

Volume 404: debated on Monday 28 April 2003