Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department plans to publish the Government's response to the consultation, Bus Services Act 2017: accessible information.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
The Government understands the importance of accessible on-board information in helping bus passengers to travel with confidence, and in Summer 2018 published a public consultation on proposals to require its provision on local bus services throughout Great Britain.
We continue to analyse responses to the consultation and expect to announce our next steps regarding the making of Regulations and publication of guidance later in the year.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on local authorities charging freedom pass holders to cover the administration costs of that scheme; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
The right to free bus travel for older and disabled people is enshrined in the Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007 which does not allow bus operators to charge any part of the fare to a person who is eligible for the statutory concession, nor for any local authority to charge an eligible resident who applies for the bus pass.
To introduce such payments would therefore require the amendment of Primary Legislation and there are no plans to do so at present.