The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) gives eligible older people and people with disabilities free off-peak travel on local bus services throughout England. Free bus travel is provided to card holders between 9.30 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays and at any time on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. Although it is branded as a national scheme, the costs of providing this service are borne by the local authority within which the buses are providing services. Bus companies are reimbursed by the local authority through a negotiated formula designed to compensate the bus companies for the income that they lose by not charging pass holders for their travel. It is usually based on a percentage of what would have been the normal ticket price.
A few years ago, in 2019, Cornwall Council decided to extend the scheme so that pass holders could travel for free at any time including before 9.30 a.m. and after 11 p.m. Now, in December 2022, in the light of severe budgetary constraints, the Council is considering restricting travel times to the statutory periods, i.e. no free travel before 9.30 a.m. or after 11 p.m. on Monday to Friday. The Council has opened a consultation on this proposed change.
My view is that this is a sensible move. The savings probably will not amount to a large sum because pass holders may simply decide to travel a bit later in the morning rather than before 9.30 a.m. However, the change will not inconvenience most of the older people who are flexible in when they need to catch a bus. The only exceptions could be those who have a pass because of a disability and they may need to travel to work placements or other activities before 9.30 a.m. There is a case for retaining their right to free travel at all times.
I also think that the whole issue of concessionary passes should be re-examined. The total cost of the concessionary pass scheme is significant for local authorities, particularly for a large rural authority such as Cornwall. It is several million pounds per annum including providing free travel for thousands of senior citizen holiday makers in the county each year. There is a strong case for asking older concessionary pass holders to make a small contribution towards the cost of their travel. Most pass holders understand that the cost to the local authority of providing this free travel impacts on the ability of the authority to provide funding for subsidised rural bus services. They would prefer to pay something and retain the service than to lose the service in which case their right to free travel is pointless. Ten years ago, in 2012, I carried out a survey of residents in Probus (where I was the Cornwall Councillor) and one of the questions was whether concessionary pass holders should pay something, e.g. £1 per journey. 74% of respondents said yes, and this included a large percentage of people who had concessionary passes. Unfortunately, at the moment, Cornwall Council and the bus companies cannot consider bringing this in because the national regulations forbid them from charging pass holders a fare. (Interestingly, because the park and ride service is a closed service outside of the normal regulations, the Council is able not to offer free travel to concessionary pass holders on this route.) If Cornwall is serious about trying to negotiate with central government about new devolved powers, one such power that they could ask for would be an exemption from the national concessionary travel scheme.
I would encourage all residents to respond to the consultation by Cornwall Council. Although the web page invites concessionary pass holders to respond, in fact, anyone can respond. Even if you do not have a concessionary pass, it is your council tax that is being used to subsidise this scheme and you have a right to make your views known. Please do so.