Received from Cllr Gandy – news from Herefordshire Council:

Herefordshire Council is part of the government-funded English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS). This funds free travel between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays for residents who have a disabled or other concessionary bus pass. However, the council has now agreed to fund travel across all local bus operators to allow passengers with a Herefordshire Council issued concessionary bus pass also to travel without cost before 9.30am, Monday to Friday.

The change will come into effect from Monday 3 November and is the result of campaigning by Herefordshire Mencap members, the majority of whom have a lived experience of learning disability.

Rose Hunt, on behalf of Herefordshire Mencap trustees and members, said:

“This is wonderful news enabling everyone with a concessionary bus pass to use it at any time during the day. It means that people with a lived experience of learning disability can now access activities, can get to that early GP and/or hospital appointment, and seek work opportunities without having to pay for their bus fare.”

“Herefordshire Mencap wishes to thank the local and wider learning disability communities, Herefordshire County Councillors and our Royal Mencap contacts for their support and Ellie Chowns MP who has supported us locally and in Parliament. We will continue to campaign for concessionary bus passes to be available across the whole of England.”

Councillor Philip Price, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure at Herefordshire Council, commented:

“We are committed to making it as easy and affordable as possible for residents to travel around the county. Cabinet has agreed to support this extension of free travel to concessionary and disabled bus holders as we recognise that people need to move at times that suit them so that they can get to work, college or other settings when needed, without incurring additional cost. We hope that this scheme will encourage more people who are entitled to free travel to consider using a bus to travel around the county.”

To apply for a free bus pass, or to check if you are eligible, please visit our web page.