DfT urges response to concessionary bus fares consultation

The Department for Transport this week reminded interested parties that its consultation into reimbursement arrangements for England's national concessionary bus travel scheme closes soon.

It launched an eight-week consultation exercise in late September on changing reimbursement arrangements for concessionary travel. The Department's best estimate is that the changes will reduce the amount of reimbursement paid to operators by between £68m and £132m a year.

About £1bn a year of public money is currently spent on concessionary travel in England, of which £643m is spent outside London. The £68m-£132m savings represent a saving of 10-20% on the latter figure.

The eight-week consultation closes on 11 November and TCAs have to publish their draft reimbursement schemes by the 1 December.