Proposals to extend
the concessionary bus fares scheme for elderly and disabled people
to ensure that injured forces veterans are included were announced
today.
Finance Secretary John Swinney was outlining the terms for the
review of the current concessionary fares scheme. He also confirmed
that the eligibility criteria for all those who currently benefit
from the scheme will be maintained, meaning free travel throughout
Scotland at any time and on any bus routes, while Ministers consider
any further improvements to the scheme.
The review - set in train by the previous administration - will
assess how the scheme has been operating since its introduction in
April 2006, and look at ways to improve the scheme even further.
Mr Swinney said:
"The concessionary fares scheme has been a widespread success,
bringing free travel to elderly and disabled people across Scotland.
We now want to look at how the scheme can be improved even further.
For example, I want to ensure that eligibility is extended so that
injured veterans in Scotland are able to benefit from free bus
travel.
"Older and disabled people will continue to be able to travel for
free throughout Scotland - at any time, on any bus routes, for any
number of journeys. It is important for the sake of vulnerable
citizens across Scotland that baseless claims to the contrary are
corrected.
"The review - set in train by the previous administration - is about
looking at positive changes that can be made for the benefit of the
people of Scotland."
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