Post by Tangy on Apr 8, 2009 18:51:34 GMT
A year on from the introduction of the English Concessionary Bus Pass scheme, there are a number of changes which have taken affect from 1st April 2009
These changes are designed to exclude certain services that were otherwise included. This mainly affects services that don't qualify as "a local bus route" (less than 15 miles between calling points) though are registered as one.
The new legislation has therefore removed the following from the concessionary scheme:
--Routes where more than half the seats on the bus can booked in advance of travel
--The route is intended to run for less than six consective weeks
--The route is operated primarily for tourism or for the historical interest of the bus(es)
--Rail replacement buses
--The fare includes an "amenity" element (e.g. Park & Ride routes, routes which include admission to an attraction etc.)
The removal of free passes from services where seats can be pre-booked is intended to remove the validity of passes on express routes (even though are are registered as a local bus route). Examples include NatEx Golders Green- Victoria or Heathrow- Victoria.
However, if local authorities decide that any route removed from the scheme by these changes should be included, they have the power to re-introduce the concession to that route.
These changes are designed to exclude certain services that were otherwise included. This mainly affects services that don't qualify as "a local bus route" (less than 15 miles between calling points) though are registered as one.
The new legislation has therefore removed the following from the concessionary scheme:
--Routes where more than half the seats on the bus can booked in advance of travel
--The route is intended to run for less than six consective weeks
--The route is operated primarily for tourism or for the historical interest of the bus(es)
--Rail replacement buses
--The fare includes an "amenity" element (e.g. Park & Ride routes, routes which include admission to an attraction etc.)
The removal of free passes from services where seats can be pre-booked is intended to remove the validity of passes on express routes (even though are are registered as a local bus route). Examples include NatEx Golders Green- Victoria or Heathrow- Victoria.
However, if local authorities decide that any route removed from the scheme by these changes should be included, they have the power to re-introduce the concession to that route.