Multi-million pound bill for free bus passes in Lancashire

Concessionary tickets for public transport in Lancashire cost the council more than £17m last year.
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Councils say government funding for concessionary travel does not stretch far enough, forcing them to make up the shortfall to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds.

Older and disabled people in England are entitled by law to free bus travel during off-peak times under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme.

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The scheme is funded via a central government grant to local authorities, which are responsible for administering passes and reimbursing bus companies.

Lancashire County Council spent an estimated 17,474,000 on concessionary travel during 2018-19Lancashire County Council spent an estimated 17,474,000 on concessionary travel during 2018-19
Lancashire County Council spent an estimated 17,474,000 on concessionary travel during 2018-19

Department for Transport figures show Lancashire County Council spent an estimated £17,474,000 on concessionary travel during 2018-19.

It included expenditure on the statutory offering for elderly and disabled people, as well as any extra provision the council chooses to offer, such as extending free travel to peak times or discounts for students.

Across England, councils spent £1.1bn on concessionary travel over the year, 79 per cent of it on the ENCTS.

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In May, the House of Commons Transport Committee warned that bus services were being put at risk by inadequate funding, after hearing evidence that councils were forking out up to £650 million a year to keep the ENCTS running.

The Local Government Association says it wants to see the scheme full-funded, so councils can spend more money on concessions for other groups, or on subsidies for less popular bus routes that are at risk of being discontinued.

It said: “The number of bus journeys is at its lowest level in over a decade shows that more needs to be done to improve local services.Councils want to work with the Government to protect local bus services, which can be a lifeline for our most vulnerable residents, whether that is to go shopping, collect medication, attend doctor appointments or socialise with friends.

“It is vital the Government properly funds [the ENCTS] so councils can protect bus routes and reinvest in local networks.”

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In Lancashire, 207,148 people had a bus pass under the government scheme in 2018-19 – 92 per cent of them elderly. Together they made 12.9m journeys during the year.

Youth concessions are also available, but these are offered by bus operators directly and not the council.

Charity Age UK says concessionary travel for older or disabled people has wider economic benefits, helping people be active in their communities and reducing loneliness.

Director Caroline Abrahams said: “The free bus pass is a real lifeline for many older and disabled people who would otherwise find themselves stranded at home and unable to afford to go out.

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“Older people who are able to get out and about and stay engaged with their communities have a better chance of retaining their health and independence for longer.”

A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: “This Government has committed to expanding better bus services, providing local authorities with funding to support £1bn of spending on the free bus pass scheme, helping older and disabled people.

“We recently announced a £220m package to transform services across the country by making journeys greener, easier and more reliable.”