Over-60s urged not to miss bus on free travel
Tuesday, February 7 2006
Scottish Borders Council is reminding older and disabled residents that they could miss out on free bus travel if they don't apply now for their new concessionary bus passes.
April 1 will see the launch of new National Entitlement Cards giving disabled people and those over 60 free travel to anywhere in Scotland at any time of day on local buses and long-distance scheduled coaches.
If you already hold a concessionary travel pass, but have not received an application form in the post, you will need to apply for the new card. Application forms are available from Post Offices and SBC Contact Centres. You can also find out more by phoning 0870 4288245 or logging on to www.infoscotland.com/seemoreofscotland.
All current Scottish Borders Council Travel Cards will cease to be valid from March 31 2006.
The Scotland-wide concessionary travel scheme will be operated by Transport Scotland, the new executive agency which is directly accountable to Scottish Ministers. It replaces concessionary schemes operated by local authorities.
More than 400,000 people in Scotland who currently hold concessionary passes have already sent off for their new National Entitlement Cards.
A recent Scottish Executive survey revealed that eighty five per cent of Scots over the age of 60 plan to take advantage of the new Scotland-wide free bus concessionary travel scheme from April 1.
Eighty-three per cent of older Scots said that they would like to see more of their home country, with 72 per cent likely to take a day, trip, short break or holiday in Scotland during the coming year. Edinburgh tops the poll of places in Scotland that older people would most like to visit, followed by Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness.
Scottish Transport Minister Tavish Scott said, "I'm delighted that so many older Scots are planning to take advantage of the new scheme. This is a major initiative by the devolved Government of Scotland and will provide greater travel choice as well as connecting people and communities up and down the country.
"Older and disabled people who already have a valid card for their local transport scheme should have been invited to apply for the new National Entitlement Card. I'd urge existing card holders to apply now."
For further information, please ring 0870 4288245.
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