12 July 2007 

Anne has been travelling on buses in Swindon speaking to passengers, drivers and transport bosses, highlighting the Government’s scheme to provide free all-England bus travel to pensioners next year.  

Anne has been appointed to the Government’s transport team as Ruth Kelly’s Parliamentary Aide (Ruth Kelly is the Secretary of State for Transport).  

Anne said: 

“Increasing bus use is one of the ways to reduce congestion in Swindon and help cut down on harmful emissions. Off-peak local bus travel became free for people aged 60 and over and disabled people from April 2006. I am pleased that from April 2008 people can travel as far as they want around England for free– and I want as many pensioners as possible to get out and about more. As part of the Government’s transport team I will ensure Swindon is at the head of the queue when it comes to improving transport – I want the council to do its bit and fund the buses properly.” 

Paul Jenkins, Managing Director for Thamesdown Transport, said: “The introduction of all-England free travel for people over 60 and disabled people will encourage more use of bus services, which we welcome. However, it is essential that adequate reimbursement is provided to bus companies for these journeys. Since the introduction of local free travel last year we have seen around 60% growth in concessionary passengers, but the rate of reimbursement we receive from the local authorities has not kept pace and this has hit us financially.” 

NOTES Thamesdown Transport figures show they are reimbursed for ‘free travel’ passengers at the rate of around 55% of the average adult fare in Swindon, less than the Somerset Countywide scheme which pays 72% and its equivalent in Cornwall which pays 73.5%, whilst unitary Torbay Council pays 72%.