Local Authorities are currently awaiting D.E.T.R. guidance on the funding
mechanism for the new senior citizens scheme. However, we would anticipate
the Government will only be seeking to cover the gap between the current
position and the new scheme.
In York we currently we give £24 value per pensioner, the current flat fare
pass can be considered self financing from the Council's point of view. The
new scheme will require us to make up the difference between the full and
half fare for each journey less an agreed generation factor (current wisdom
suggests around 20%). Use of the current flat fare card will give us an
idea of likely trips per card on which we are basing some modelling of take
up (making the card free has complicated this as significantly more
irregular bus users will obtain the card). A "non smart" bus pass scheme
will need to arrive at reimbursement forecasts of use to be validated by
regular monitoring and auditing operator's returns.
Clearly operating a smart card scheme will give us accurate take up
information on which to base reimbursements and it is therefore desirable
for it to be in place for April 2001. To do so would need the on bus reader
and management information infrastructure in place and would also need to
purchase the cards at £3+ each. It is not yet clear whether the Government
would pay for this.
If we move to smart cards, in line with the new scheme, we will need to
consider how we deal with taxi travel. Best Value consultation indicates a
strong preference for a concessionary scheme which enables taxi use.
Resolving the smart card/ taxi issue by next year clearly is unrealistic
for cultural as well as financial and technical reasons.
We need to consider options such as giving oaps the choice of bus pass or
tokens or alternatively restricting tokens to registered disabled oaps who
can then use these in taxis.
Your thoughts, comments and ideas on these matters would be welcome.
Matt Wards
City of York Council
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(01904) 551413
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