From April this year, older and disabled people have been guaranteed free off-peak local bus travel within their local authority area. The Government provided an extra £350 million in 2006-07 (and will provide a further £367.5 million in 2007-08) to fund the extra costs to local authorities arising from this move from half-fare to free local travel.
From April 2008 we will extend this minimum concession further to include free off-peak travel anywhere in England. Up to an extra £250 million per year has been earmarked to fund this new national concession. Local authorities have retained, and will retain, the discretion to offer (and fund from their own resources) enhancements to the statutory minimum, such as peak bus travel and/or concessions on other modes.