Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones issues free bus reassurance (From Western Telegraph)

Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones issues free bus reassurance

11:00am Sunday 21st March 2010 in

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Elderly and disabled passengers will still travel for free on Welsh bus services, it has been confirmed.

Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones’ comments followed the Department of Transport’s decision to raise the age of entitlement in England, in line with state pension rules, from April 1st.

Mr Jones stressed there will be no changes in Wales and reiterated his plan to extend the scheme to include seriously injured veterans and servicemen from April 1st next year.

Mr Jones said: “I wish to reassure all existing and future pass holders that residents of Wales will continue to be eligible to apply to their local authority for a pass on the basis of age when they reach 60 years, irrespective of any changes to the state pension.”

Welsh senior officer of Bus Users UK, Margaret Everson, welcomed the announcement.

She said: “The scheme has had a tremendously beneficial impact on the lives of so many elderly and disabled people.

“The comments we receive at bus users surgeries throughout Wales make it clear just how important free bus travel is in ensuring people can get out and about without worrying about cost.”

Charlie Nelson, of the local authorities’ Association of Transport Co-ordinating Officers in Wales said: “It is impossible to over-estimate the effect the scheme has had.

“In addition to the benefits to pass holders, it has helped to turn around what had been a long-term decline in bus patronage.”