Issue - meetings

The Head of Community Services provided a brief verbal update on the new arrangements for concessionary fares.  The Council was not yet aware of the full implications, although it had been guaranteed that Worcestershire County Council (WCC) would fund travel concessions. This funding would cover the national scheme, which covered fares from 09.30 to 23.00 hrs on week days and all day on weekends and bank holidays.

The Head of Community Services explained that the Head of Highways and Transport Infrastructure (WCC) had provided district councils with detailed information as to what steps councils would need to take if they wished to continue to fund the pre 9.30 a.m. service, which was available in Bromsgrove District.  This included information on areas which would need to be considered, such as the type of contracts to be used with the bus contractors and to whom these concessions should be made available to. 

Members discussed the merits of the pre 9.30 a.m. scheme and the cost of maintaining it.  The Head of Community Services advised that currently the cost of the scheme was between £55,810 and £55,876 per annum and that concessionary passes were available to males and females aged 60 and over.

It was noted that in other local authority areas concessionary passes were not funded pre 9.30 a.m. as it was recognised as a commuter period when the buses were busy with people travelling to work.  In view of this and in view of the additional costs, Members of the Board felt that they would be unable to support pre 9.30 a.m. concessionary travel in the district.  After further discussion it was

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet not support pre 9.30 a.m. concessionary bus travel.

RESOLVED that due to lack of support by the Board for pre 9.30 a.m. concessionary bus travel, no further action be taken with regard to the Overview and Scrutiny Proposal Form completed in respect of concessionary travel.