COMPANIONS of Warwickshire residents with disability bus passes can now travel at concessionary rates too.
Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet granted the request for the companions of those who receive a free pass through the England National Concessionary Travel Scheme to travel at a concessionary rate following a survey earlier this year.
A Concessionary Travel Review in 2022 saw 74 per cent of respondents ask for free or reduced cost travel for carers or companions travelling with a disabled passholder who cannot travel alone.
The scheme will be further developed over the coming months and run for a fixed-term trial period ending in March 2025.
WCC’s transport spokesperson Coun Jan Matecki said: “The free bus pass scheme is a vital service for many older and disabled residents in Warwickshire, but for many of these people, they are still not able to travel alone. The request came through that companions, who are absolutely necessary for many people in receipt of a free bus pass, should also be allowed to travel without charge.
“Although there is no specific funding, we have listened to residents and seen that this is what they want so we will cut our cloth accordingly and make funding available, per our residents’ request. Today we have taken that request and are now set to make it happen.”
Applications will be in the name of the person in receipt of the free bus pass and the enhancement, enabling companion travel, will be made to their pass.
It is expected that an applicant will be eligible for the companion enhancement if they are over the age of 11, qualify for an ENCTS bus pass under the current scheme and are either registered blind, need to be accompanied or supervised at all times due to their disability or are physically unable to get on or off the bus without the assistance of another person.
More information about concessionary bus travel in Warwickshire can be found at https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/free-bus-travel-older-people-people-disabilities-1
