Press Release
31st March 2003
Local Men Set for Free Bus Travel at 60
MSP for Greenock & Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, is working
to make sure local men aged 60 to 64 are ready to take advantage
of free local bus travel.
From tomorrow, the age at which men and women qualify for the scheme will be equalised at 60. Currently, men have to wait until they reach the State Pension age of 65.
The move, which will benefit 125,000 men nation-wide, will be supported by the Scottish Executive at a cost of £10 million in 2003/04.
Mr McNeil, who today visited Kilblain Street Bus Terminus to publicise the change, said:
“Since it’s launch last September, free local bus travel has proved extremely popular.
“I am glad that more men are getting the chance to take advantage of what is an excellent scheme and would encourage as many of them as possible enjoy its benefits.”
He continued:
“Now that everyone over the age of 60 is entitled to free local bus travel, the next challenge – subject, of course, to the outcome of the election in May – is to extend the scheme to cover travel to anywhere Scotland. I will certainly be calling for the Scottish Parliament to make this a priority in its second term.”
Deputy Transport Minister Lewis Macdonald said:
“I am delighted that this move brings men in line with women and furthers the Executive’s determination to provide better access to affordable public transport.”
The Scottish Executive has funded the free local bus travel scheme since September 30th last year. Under the scheme, all elderly and disabled concessionary card holders are entitled to free local bus travel within existing concessionary boundaries after 9.30am Monday to Friday and all day at weekends.
Bus passes can be applied for at Post Offices.
Applicants are
required to provide proof of age, proof of address and a
passport-type photograph.
ENDS
Photocall
Duncan McNeil MSP and a number of local men who will
benefit from this rule-change will be available for a photocall
at 14:00 today (Monday 31st March 2003) at
Greenock’s Kilblain Street Bus Terminus.
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