Safer, Greener & Cleaner Spaces – Minutes – 12 March 2019
6 (6) CONCESSIONARY FARES 2019/20 – PUBLICATION OF FINAL SCHEME – The Director: Operations submitted a report seeking approval for a “Final Scheme” for concessionary fares reimbursement for the 2019/20 financial year.
On 30 November 2018, the Cabinet Member approved a draft Concessionary Fares scheme for the 2019/20 financial year (minute 5 refers). Local Public Transport operators have all received a copy of the draft scheme. There were no objections to the continuation of the current voluntary fixed pot methodology. The voluntary fixed pot used the Department for Transport (DFT) reimbursement calculator as the basis for negotiations with operators.
Smaller operators with infrequent services (e.g. once per week) and community transport providers would have simpler arrangements, which was permitted in the guidance.
The Council also offered and funded additional travel entitlements using discretionary powers from Section 93 of the Transport Act 1985. The council currently provided the following additional discretionary entitlements:
• Half or discounted local rail travel;
• Free bus travel for companions of disabled people who cannot use buses or trains on their own; and
• Free bus travel for passholders all day (e.g. before 9.30am) every day on journeys within or from North Lincolnshire.
The council was required to publish the final scheme following negotiations with local public transport operators by 3 March 2019 in order for it to come into effect on 1 April 2019.
Resolved – (a) That the Concessionary Fares “Final Scheme” for 2019/20, as set out in the appendix to the report, be approved, and (b) that in addition to the statutory scheme, the Council also continued to provide the following discretionary enhancements for North Lincolnshire residents:
• Free travel on local bus services before 9.30am and after 11.00pm Monday to Fridays;
• Free or discounted local train travel; and
• Free bus travel or discounted local rail travel for companions of disabled people who cannot use buses or trains on their own.