Free public transport for older and disabled people in Rochdale

Date published: 03/02/2006

More than half a million older and disabled people across Greater Manchester will be able to travel for free on buses, trains and trams after 9.30am from April, following a decision by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority.

Councillors agreed to fund the free travel scheme at a meeting today, Friday 3 February, to set the Authority's annual levy for funds on the ten district councils in Greater Manchester.

More than £22 million will be spent on providing free travel for disabled people and those aged 60 and over. The scheme covers buses, trains and trams between 9.30am and midnight, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays.

The announcement goes much further than the Government's Budget pledge in March last year to fund free off-peak bus travel for older and disabled people and will make it much easier to reach essential services. People will need to carry a travel permit with them at all times to show to bus drivers and ticket collectors.

Chair of the Authority, Councillor Roger Jones, said: "I'm pleased that the cost of fares will now no longer prevent disabled people and those aged 60 and over from getting out and about within Greater Manchester.

"I've been keen to introduce free public transport in Greater Manchester for older and disabled people since becoming the Chair of the Passenger Transport Authority. I'm sure that this decision will help to provide new opportunities for thousands of people. I urge those who will be entitled to free travel to pick up their GMPTE travel permit."

Councillor Allen Brett, the Rochdale spokesperson for the Authority, welcomed the news: "This decision will make a massive difference to people in Rochdale. It's vital that older and disabled people are able to gain access to the bus and train services available in the borough as well as to the rest of Greater Manchester's public transport network."

At the moment, GMPTE travel permit holders pay 50p or half the full adult fare, whichever is the cheapest, for bus journeys. It costs 60p to travel on the train or tram after 9.30am or approximately half the full adult fare during the weekday morning rush hour. The existing concessionary fare arrangements on buses, trains and trams will remain in place before 9.30am.

Disabled people and those aged 60 and over who already hold a travel permit to travel at a reduced rate on public transport within Greater Manchester will be able to use their existing permit to travel for free from Saturday 1 April 2006.

It is estimated that up to 80,000 people who will be eligible for free travel do not already have a permit. They can apply for one at GMPTE Travelshops or local council offices. They will need to take a photo, proof of age (e.g. pension book or birth certificate) and proof of address (e.g. rent book or utility bill).

Some disabled people are currently entitled to free travel on public transport in Greater Manchester at all times of the day. They will continue to be eligible for this entitlement when the new scheme is introduced.

Further information about the free travel scheme is available in GMPTE Travelshops or by calling Traveline on 0870 608 2 608. Textphone users should ring 0870 241 2216.