This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Concessionary travel scheme on schedule
08/03/2006
Eighty per cent of current concessionary travel card holders have applied for the Scotland-wide free bus travel scheme that launches on April 1.
Speaking at the Moving On Conference at the Crown Plaza in Glasgow, Transport Minister Tavish Scott encouraged people who have not yet applied to send off for the new National Entitlement Card.
They can then take advantage of free travel anywhere in Scotland on local buses and long-distance scheduled coaches at any time of the day.
Mr Scott said:
"We are really pleased with the level of interest in the new Scotland-wide concessionary travel scheme. Older and disabled people who've not yet applied and want to use the new scheme from the outset should apply now. With just over three weeks until the launch we are confident that almost all those who currently have concessionary travel passes will get their new cards in time.
"This is the first national application on the new National Citizen's Entitlement Card which, as an electronic system, will help prevent fraud. It is the first large scale Integrated Transport Smartcard Organisation (ITSO) scheme in the UK.
"During the course of the next year, nearly 7000 buses in the fleets of 300 operators throughout Scotland will be equipped with the latest Electronic Ticketing Machines technology to register the journey. The new cards will be used as 'show and go' passes as the installation programme is rolled out. The end result will not just be a "smart" concessionary travel system, but an open door of opportunity for integrated ticketing schemes in the future."
Latest figures show that there are 830,000 older and disabled people who have a current concessionary travel pass. Around 650,000 applications have been received for the new scheme.
Eligible individuals should apply for their National Entitlement card now to receive it in time for the scheme's introduction in April.