Decision details

At the last budget, the government announced that pensioners and people with disabilities should be offered free bus travel at off-peak times from April 2006. This replaces the current obligation to offer a minimum half fare concession.

226/2005 The Cabinet agreed the following preferred options for consultation:
a) That the Council should continue to participate in the Kent and Medway Countywide Concessionary Fares Consortium for the operation of concessionary fares.
b) That users should continue to be offered the option of half-fare travel before 9.00 am with a charge for the issue of the pass.
c) That companions will continue to be allowed to travel at the concessionary rate where they are needed by the bus pass holder.

227/2005 The Cabinet delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration and Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services, to agree the draft scheme statement at the November meeting of the consortium for publication by 1 December 2005.

Decisions are required to develop the new arrangements for free travel in 2006 and meet the statutory deadlines of publication for consultation by 1 December 2005 and implementation from 1 April 2006.