Time running out to apply for new bus pass
Monday, May 22 2006
Transport bosses are urging older and disabled people in the Borders not to miss the bus on a free Scotland-wide travel scheme.
Current local concessionary cardholders will not be able to enjoy free bus travel, either locally or nationally, after June 30 unless they have the new National Entitlement Card.
To allow enough time to receive the new smartcard, disabled people and those over 60 need to apply as soon as possible.
Once they have the card, they can take advantage of free travel anywhere in Scotland at any time of the day on local buses and long-distance scheduled coaches.
Since its launch on April 1, the free bus scheme, now operated by Transport Scotland, has been a huge success and more than 20,500 people in the Borders area have applied for the card.
Across Scotland, over 853,000 people have so far applied for the National Entitlement Card - the initial estimation of existing local scheme card holders was 830,000. It is estimated there is still a small proportion of eligible people that are missing out of the benefits of free bus travel.
Dr Malcolm Reed, Chief Executive Transport Scotland, said, "The free bus scheme has been a fantastic success with nearly a
million people using their pass for everyday travel, special journeys to parts of Scotland they have never seen before or
visiting friends and family in other parts of the country.
"We hope the remaining eligible people do apply for their new card as soon as possible to take advantage of free travel across
Scotland because local cards will no longer be valid after June 30."
Dr Reed added, "As well as being free, the scheme offers many benefits for people who currently prefer to drive, allowing
them to leave their car at home and enjoy the beautiful scenery which Scotland offers or forget about the stresses of parking.
Don't miss out."
The Scotland-wide concessionary travel scheme is operated by Transport Scotland, the new executive agency which is directly accountable to Scottish Ministers.
It is the first application on the National Entitlement Card, which over time is intended to allow members of the public to use an increasing number of public services through a single card.
Scottish Borders Council is encouraged by the successful uptake of the scheme within the local area and also supported calls
for those yet to sign up not to miss the bus.
Councillor Gordon Edgar, SBC's Executive Spokesman for Transport, said: "We are delighted with the number of people who have
applied for the new card in the Borders area. Many people are already making great use of the card for local and national
travel.
"It would be a shame for those who are eligible for the National Entitlement Card to miss out on free bus travel just because
they have not signed up for it. I would urge them to apply as soon as possible."
Over the next year, nearly 7,000 buses in the fleets of 300 operators throughout Scotland will be equipped with the latest
Electronic Ticketing Machines to register journeys. The new cards will be used as 'show and go' passes as the installation
programme is rolled out.
Application forms for the new bus passes are available by contacting Scottish Borders Council on 01835 826559 or online People can also find out by logging on to www.transportscotland.gov.uk
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