Concessionary travel passes

Dear Mr Eriksohn

Further to your FOI Request of 29 January 2009:

1. Does your authority provide concessionary travel passes to those
individuals registered with their local Social Services department as
disabled on the grounds of being a mental health user or survivor?

In providing concessionary travel passes we comply with the statutory
eligibility set out in the Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007 of "..an
elderly or disabled person whose sole or principal residence is in the
authority's area.." We follow the Department for Transport Guidance to
Local Authorities on Assessing Eligibility of Disabled People for
Concessionary Travel issued in February 2008. This sets out seven
categories listed below but also states ...."The categories of disabled
person listed in the 2000 Act and the 1999 Act in relation to
concessionary travel do not cover the full range of disabled people
included within the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) definition.
However, in line with the central principle of the DDA definition, the
types of disability which should enable people to claim the statutory
minimum bus travel concession are those which are permanent, or which
have lasted at least 12 months, or which are likely to last at least 12
months or are likely to recur [although the likelihood of an effect
recurring may be disregarded in pre-agreed circumstances]. This
disability should have a substantial effect on a person's ability to
carry out normal day-to-day activities."

What is 'eligible disabled'?
You are eligible disabled if any of the following applies to you:

you are blind or partially sighted
you are profoundly or severely deaf
you are without speech
you have a disability which has a substantial and long-term adverse
effect on your ability to walk you do not have arms or have long-term
loss of the use of both arms you have a learning disability you would,
if you applied for a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of
the Road Traffic Act 1988, have your application refused under section
92 of the Act (physical fitness) on grounds other than persistent misuse
of drugs or alcohol

As you will see this does not specifically include Mental Health issues,
however the more general statement above relating to substantial effect
on a persons ability to carry out normal day to day activities means
that it can in some circumstances. We treat each case on its merits and
seek independent evidence such as receipt of Disability Living Allowance
or Medical Practitioner letter.

2. If your authority does have such arrangements why was the decision
taken to extend the scheme in this way and what arrangements are in
place?

We have not extended the scheme but as described above seek to implement
the DfT guidance to interpret eligibility on the grounds of disability.

3. If your authority does have such arrangements does you authority have
some other arrangement beyond the statuary minimum to provide passes to
those with mental health issues?

As above.

4. If your authority does not have such arrangements why was the
decision taken not to extend the scheme in this way and has
consideration been given to extending the scheme in this way in the
future?

As above.

5. Would it be possible to provide copies of any relevant policy
documents you may have?

http://www.chichester.gov.uk/index.cfm?a...
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/buses...
uthorities/

Yours sincerely

Mrs Karen Carter
Public Relations Officer
Chichester District Council
Telephone: (01243) 534679
Fax: (01243) 776766
Email: [email address]

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