FREE NATIONAL BUS PASS FOR PEOPLE OVER 60 YEARS

That this House congratulates the Government on the introduction of a free national bus pass for all people over 60 years living in England; believes that this will enhance the lives of many older people by enabling them to stay active and get out and about in their communities; notes the finding of the Government's national travel survey that 45 per cent. of people over 70 years have difficulty walking and using the bus; further believes that alternative concessions such as dial-a-ride, community transport and travel tokens are vital lifelines to people who cannot use buses, making the difference between maintaining a good quality of life and becoming isolated; and calls on central Government to take every measure possible to encourage local authorities to provide flexible alternative concessions to the bus pass, so that all older people can access a travel concession they can use.