Purpose

The report will set out the concessionary travel arrangements on local bus services for year 2024/25, the recommended rate per concessionary journey and the associated implications.

Decision

That approval be given to return to the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) direct reimbursement principles that operators should be no better or worse off as a result of the Scheme and that reimbursements shall be determined by the number of concessionary travel journeys undertaken on the relevant operator’s local bus services.

That approval be given to maintain the existing discretionary enhancements as detailed in this report for the next financial year 2024/2025.

And that delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, Highways PFI and Transport Strategy and the Section 151 Officer, to prepare and implement the Concessionary Fares Scheme reimbursement arrangements for the 2024/25 financial year.