Scottish Government Consultation into Concession Cards

[Observer]

Obviously quite a controversial subject to talk about, but they are looking for responses regarding the scheme as well as proposals that are being looked at.

Consultation proposals are listed here.

...We are committed to continuing to provide free bus travel for those who need it the most, and therefore want to look at options to ensure the longer-term sustainability of the scheme so that free bus travel can continue to benefit those who have the greatest need...

...This Consultation sets out the issues under consideration and asks you questions about what we are proposing. After the Consultation is closed we will publish responses where we have been given permission to do so...

Get your thoughts in should you be in that part of the country. Doesn't seem to have anything about cutting the passes from the undesirables that are drug addicts and alcoholics, more to do with raising the age of the OAP passes (as was brought up during the recent elections), giving free passes to Modern Apprentices under 21 and giving companion passes to parents of disabled children under five.

The document reports that bus operators are getting 56.9% of an adult single fare back in reimbursement.

 

[GusB]

Obviously quite a controversial subject to talk about, but they are looking for responses regarding the scheme as well as proposals that are being looked at.

Consultation proposals are listed here.



Get your thoughts in should you be in that part of the country. Doesn't seem to have anything about cutting the passes from the undesirables that are drug addicts and alcoholics, more to do with raising the age of the OAP passes (as was brought up during the recent elections), giving free passes to Modern Apprentices under 21 and giving companion passes to parents of disabled children under five.

The document reports that bus operators are getting 56.9% of a single fare back in reimbursement.

I would agree that we need to have a conversation about entitlement to passes, but I do have a bit of an issue with labelling addicts as "undesireables". Addiction is an illness as much as any other and it doesn't necessarily have to involve drugs or alcohol.

https://www.transport.gov.scot/concessionary-travel/60plus-and-disabled/#37403

Disabled people eligibility

If you're a resident in Scotland, aged five or over and meet one of the following criteria, you're entitled to free bus travel with the National Entitlement Card:
<snip>
-You have a mental health condition that is recognised under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and has lasted for more than a year. You must need to travel to health or social care appointments as part of treatment activities, care or a rehabilitation programme. Your ability to travel must also be impaired. Please contact your Local Authority for advice on how and where to apply.

 

[yorksrob]

The thing that always worries me when these universal benefits come up for discussion, is that inevitably it's those lower middling income households, which aren't in a state of penury by any means, but for whom such things as free bus transport helps to stretch a limited budget, that will miss out.

Of course I wouldn't have a problem with removing such entitlements from rich households, but it's never just 'rich'households that are affected. Infact, it probably wouldn't raise enough if it was !

 

[Blindtraveler]

The scheme as is would work fine if they cut out:

1. Premium services such as Citylink Gold which is currently included and shouldnt be.

2. Abuse i.e Netty and Agness getting on the bus and riding round all morning, having lunch in a cafay 70 miles away with Ida and Rose and going home again, at least 3 times a week..3. Removal of Citylink journeys unless they are the only opperater of a service e.g Highland services.

 

[overthewater]

The scheme as is would work fine if they cut out:

1. Premium services such as Citylink Gold which is currently included and shouldnt be.

2. Abuse i.e Netty and Agness getting on the bus and riding round all morning, having lunch in a cafay 70 miles away with Ida and Rose and going home again, at least 3 times a week..3. Removal of Citylink journeys unless they are the only opperater of a service e.g Highland services.

With the likes of no2 you must included Fisher tours in that list then....

I do agree with Citylink gold its bonkers that passes get free tea and coffee, juice and food. Yet have seen some M92 service the the amount of pass holders on those are very small.

 

[Mordac]

The thing that always worries me when these universal benefits come up for discussion, is that inevitably it's those lower middling income households, which aren't in a state of penury by any means, but for whom such things as free bus transport helps to stretch a limited budget, that will miss out.

Of course I wouldn't have a problem with removing such entitlements from rich households, but it's never just 'rich'households that are affected. Infact, it probably wouldn't raise enough if it was !

If you want to help lower middling income households that are just getting by, then just give them money. Doing it through providing universal benefits is just a wasteful way of doing it. Not only are you using taxpayers money to benefit people who don't need the help, but you're distorting the markets for the goods you're subsidising.

 

[overthewater]

If you want to help lower middling income households that are just getting by, then just give them money. Doing it through providing universal benefits is just a wasteful way of doing it. Not only are you using taxpayers money to benefit people who don't need the help, but you're distorting the markets for the goods you're subsidising.

Alas its cheaper to have the bus passes... Look at all those woman born in the early 50s, bus passes = Pennies compared to the state pension.

 

[yorksrob]

If you want to help lower middling income households that are just getting by, then just give them money. Doing it through providing universal benefits is just a wasteful way of doing it. Not only are you using taxpayers money to benefit people who don't need the help, but you're distorting the markets for the goods you're subsidising.

Yeah, that's true - except the bit about "giving them more money" never materialises.

Perhaps if they added on an addition to the state pension calculated to represent average bus expenditure per pensioner and indexed it by increases in bus fares, that would work !