Concessionary Bus Travel

You what you think about the concessionary fares system, and in particular, whether:

• There are any other groups of people who you feel should be eligible for a disability (Go Gold, Go Gold Plus) travel concession;
• Should someone be eligible for a disability travel concession after reaching the age of eligibility for a senior (Go Silver) travel concession, and;
• Whether there are any other groups of students who you feel should be eligible for a Go College Travel concession?

The consultation generated a significant level of interest, and received a total of 863 responses. Of those, 10.9% were received from people with a disability, 9.7% were from a friend or family member with a disability, 47% were from seniors, and 23.4% were from students or a parent with a child at school or UCM.

The majority of respondents (64%) felt that eligibility for a Go Gold travel concession should be available after reaching the age of eligibility for a senior travel concession, with 74% of the view that the Go Gold travel concession should be available if the disability arises after state pension age.   

A number of additional groups of people were suggested who should be eligible for a disability travel concession, including invisible disabilities; autism; anxiety; mental health issues and people suffering from epilepsy/seizures.

Suggestions for other groups of students who should be eligible for a Go College Travel concession included all full-time students at UCM, low income students of any age, part-time students at UCM, apprentices and anyone on JSA seeking to improve their skills. 

The “further comments” section of the consultation generated a wide ranging response, including free bus travel for all, means testing; charging a nominal amount for a concessionary fare, and reference to the importance of bus travel in reducing climate impact.

The consultation responses received will require detailed analysis and discussions with the appropriate Departments of Government, including the Department of Health & Social Care, the Department of Education and the Treasury regarding the practical and financial implications. This process will take place over the summer period, and will be available for further consideration by the next political administration following the September 2021 national elections.

In the meantime, the Department will change its concessionary fares policy from August 2021 to allow Go Gold card disability concessions to continue past retirement. Applications will be welcomed from former Go Gold travel card holders, whose expired cards were replaced with a Go Silver travel concession card. New Go Gold cards will be issued to these applicants subject to meeting the disability concessionary travel criteria.