PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Freedom Pass: Fees and Charges (25 February 2019)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on local authorities charging freedom pass holders to cover the administration costs of that scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by:
Sir Desmond Swayne (Conservative)

The right to free bus travel for older and disabled people is enshrined in the Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007 which does not allow bus operators to charge any part of the fare to a person who is eligible for the statutory concession, nor for any local authority to charge an eligible resident who applies for the bus pass.

To introduce such payments would therefore require the amendment of Primary Legislation and there are no plans to do so at present.

Answered by:
Ms Nusrat Ghani (Conservative)
28 February 2019