Mr Eriksohn

Dear Mr Eriksohn

RE: Concessionary Travel FOI Request

Thank you for your recent enquiry regarding the concessionary travel passes issued by South Ribble Borough council.

I will respond to your queries in order as itemised in your request.

Firstly, the question as to whether the authority issues concessionary travel passes to individuals registered with their Social Services on grounds of `being a mental health user or survivor?' South Ribble Borough Could does provide concessionary passes to residents that fall within the definition of an eligible disabled person, as set out in the Concessionary Bus Travel act 2007. This includes residents who have `a learning disability that is a state of incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning'. This also includes people who would be refused a driving licence, including residents with a severe mental disorder, whose medication is sufficiently strong as to make them a source of danger were they to drive.

Secondly, your question as to whether any arrangements to cover the above residents were part of a scheme extended by South Ribble; I can conform that the above arrangements are part of the national scheme.

Thirdly, questioning if South Ribble Borough Council does not have arrangements as outlined in your first question, has the authority got other arrangements beyond the statutory minimum to provide passes to residents with mental health issues. To confirm, South Ribble does not have any arrangements beyond the statutory minimum

Fourthly, you asked why the decision was taken not to extend the scheme and if any future consideration would be undertaken. No specific decision was taken about extending the scheme, nor is any contemplated for the future, considering the economic difficulties the authority is facing.

Finally, your request for any documentation of policies, I have enclosed a copy of the national guidance, issued by the Department for Transport. You may also find the following links useful:

http://www.dft.gov.uk this has the national bus pass communication toolkit available. The overall aim of the Toolkit is to assist local organisations' in effectively communicating information about the new Bus Concession April 2008 to potential users, the wider public and broader stakeholder community. Also

www.nowcard.org this is the actual scheme in operation within South Ribble.

I trust this information is of help to you, if you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Sue Clay

Gateway Contact Centre Team Leader

.

Civic Centre, West Paddock,

Leyland, Lancashire PR25 1DH

Tel: 01772 421491

Fax: 01772 622287

email: [email address]

website: www.southribble.gov.uk