Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if the Government will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a free bus pass scheme for armed forces veterans across the UK similar to the Veterans Concessionary Travel Scheme operating in London.

The Veterans’ Oyster Photocard scheme in London is not part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, but is provided by Transport for London (TfL) and funded by the Mayor as a discretionary enhancement. Concessionary travel is devolved in other administrations.

There are no plans at present to introduce a statutory national bus travel concession for armed forces veterans across the UK, however, all local authorities in England have the powers to introduce concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, as TfL have done.