The Travel Concessions (Extension of Entitlement) (Wales) Order 2001

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

Section 93 of the Transport Act 1985 (“the 1985 Act”) makes provision for travel concession schemes in relation to eligible services (local bus services). Section 93(7), now amended by paragraph 15 of Schedule 11 to the Transport Act 2000 (“the 2000 Act”) defines the categories of persons entitled to concessions under such schemes. Section 93(7)(f) gives the National Assembly for Wales (“the National Assembly”) the power to extend those categories.

Sections 145 and 146 of the 2000 Act makes provision for mandatory travel concessions to be provided on eligible services. The Act provides that the concessions:

(i) are to be available only in respect of journeys within the area of individual travel concession authorities (county and county borough councils);

(ii) are to be available only at certain times of day;

(iii) are to be available only to those over pensionable age and the disabled, as defined in section 146;

(iv) are to be a reduction of one-half in the fare.

Section 147 of the 2000 Act gives the National Assembly the power to extend the availability and nature of the concessions.

Articles 4, 5, and 6 of this Order have the effect of modifying the provisions of the 2000 Act so as to:

(i) extend entitlement to concessions to journeys beginning or ending (or both beginning and ending) outside, but in the vicinity of, the area of a Welsh travel concession authority;

(ii) remove the restriction on the times when concessions are provided;

(iii) extend entitlement to men between 60 and pensionable age, with effect from 1st April 2003;

(iv) extend entitlement to companions of disabled persons who require the assistance of a companion in order to travel on public passenger transport services;

(v) extend entitlement to holders of permits issued by Welsh authorities other than the one in whose area the journey is taking place, provided the permit is in an approved form for this purpose;

(vi) increase the amount of the concession to provide for free travel.

Article 2 makes amendments to the categories of person entitled to travel concessions under schemes under section 93 of the 1985 Act so that, taken together with those already made by paragraph 15 of Schedule 11 to the 2000 Act, there will be consistency with those relating to mandatory travel concessions under sections 145 and 146 of the 2000 Act.