MORE residents are set to be given free bus passes in Warwickshire following a review by Warwickshire County Council (WCC).
The council’s cabinet has agreed to explore the possibility of introducing a ‘companion pass’ for carers or companions accompanying existing passholders.
Also under consideration is a stand-alone discretionary scheme for other groups, such as Ukrainian refugees under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
The council will also introduce free all-day travel for holders of disabled person’s passes below state retirement age for a one-year trial period, with the aim of increasing access to education, training and employment.
During the review, the cabinet agreed to continue the Warwickshire County Concessionary Travel Scheme for a further five years. The scheme provides free bus travel for eligible older and disabled residents between 9.00am and midnight on weekdays, and all day at weekends and on public holidays.
The report into the review highlighted challenges faced by the scheme, including rising costs and changing levels of demand.
WCC’s Strategic Director of Communities Mark Ryder said: “The Free Bus Pass Scheme is a vital service for many older and disabled residents in Warwickshire, and we are committed to ensuring that it not only remains sustainable in the long term but also provides additional benefits such as increased flexibility and improved access to essential services.
“We are confident that these changes to the scheme will achieve these goals for a larger number of residents than ever before.”
In a survey conducted by WCC, 74 per cent of respondents supported introducing a companion pass, prompting the council to undertake a feasibility study to see if it would be affordable.
There was less support for passes for other categories of people including refugees (13 per cent), apprentices (17 per cent) and young people aged 16-25 (19 per cent).
But the report to cabinet said there had been ‘a significant number’ of enquiries about providing limited free travel as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and suggested the council explore the possibility. Over 1,000 Ukrainians have started new lives in Warwickshire since the Homes for Ukraine scheme started in March 2022.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/yc8ntzc2 to read the WCC cabinet report.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/2j3mk69m for more information about concessionary bus travel in Warwickshire.
