Short Title: | Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007[1] |
Parliament: | Parliament of the United Kingdom |
Long Title: | An Act to make provision about travel concessions; and for connected purposes. |
Statute Book Chapter: | 2007 c. 29 |
Introduced By: | Lord Davies Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard and Government Deputy Chief Whip, 27 November 2006 |
Territorial Extent: | England and Wales[2] |
Royal Assent: | 19 July 2007 |
Commencement: | For certain preliminary planning and guidance purposes: 17 October 2007. In full: 1 April 2008[3] |
Repeal Date: | — |
Amendments: | Local Transport Act 2008, Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, |
Related Legislation: | — |
Repealing Legislation: | — |
Status: | Not_fully_in_force |
Original Text: | http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2007/13/contents/enacted |
Legislation History: | https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/pabills/200607/concessionary_bus_travel.htm |
Revised Text: | http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2007/13/contents |
The Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which entitles all people resident in England who are either disabled or over the age of 60 to free travel on local buses at off-peak times anywhere within England (transport being a devolved matter and therefore within the purview of the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Assembly); previously, free travel had only been available within the recipient's local authority area.[4]
According to Age UK free bus travel is a life line enabling older people to maintain independence and get to local services, notably health care and shopping. Free bus travel combats social isolation and increases social inclusion allowing older people to stay in touch with their friends and families.[5]
Under the scheme, bus companies are compensated by local authorities for carrying passholders, and the authorities in turn receive funding from central Government to offset the cost, in the form of a special grant under s.88B of the Local Government Finance Act 1988,[6] for which a total of £212 million has been allocated. This is distributed using a funding formula on the basis of four factors (eligiblepopulation, bus patronage, overnight visitors and retail floor space),[7] in the following proportions:
Proportion | ||
---|---|---|
Eligible population | 5.1% | |
Bus patronage | 41% | |
Overnight visitors | 15.4% | |
Retail floor space | 38.5% |
As of 2014 there is concern about funding for this service, government funding fell 39% from 2010 and Local authorities are forced to pay for this at the expense of other services. Rural bus services and less popular routes are being cut due to low funding and the Local Government Association plans to appeal to George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer to reverse cuts and protect bus services under threat.
As is common for uncontroversial measures, the Bill was introduced in the House of Lords, where it received cross-party support.[11] It received third reading from the Lords on 5 February 2006, and from the Commons on 28 June, with minor amendments, including one allowing the Government to make payments from public funds to fund the scheme, since money bills cannot be started in the Lords. These amendments were agreed to on 5 July, and the Bill received Royal Assent on 19 July. Under the commencement order, the Bill entered into force to allow the making of some regulations by the Secretary of State, and for some other preliminary purposes, on 17 October 2007, and in full on 1 April 2008.