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16 June 1008

Concessionary travel must meet the needs of all older people, says Help the Aged

Reacting to the Government response to the Select Committee report Ticketing and Concessionary Travel on Public Transport, Amy Swan, Policy Officer at Help the Aged, says:

'Concessionary travel is vital for many older people who rely on it to go shopping, attend appointments and visit family and friends. Increased take up of the bus pass introduced just over two months ago shows more older people are able to enjoy the benefits.  

'But some people can’t use buses and enhancements and alternatives to the bus pass are dependent on where older people live – some areas benefit from travel tokens or dial a ride schemes while others don’t. For the 45 per cent of people aged 70 and over with limited mobility and difficulty using buses, this means that concessionary travel is often hit and miss. Older people on limited incomes can be forced to pay for taxis, just to get around.  

'Although it has many benefits, we have already seen the bus pass concession have a negative impact on funding of other concessionary travel schemes. The Government needs to consider how the bus pass scheme can be extended and encourage local authorities to offer concessionary door-to-door transport for older people who need it.'

Notes to Editors:

Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life. Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect. Visit www.helptheaged.org.uk  or call 0207 239 1982.