Nationwide Free Bus Scheme

The Government's 2006 budget has promised people aged 60 and above, and those with a disability, free off peak local bus travel in all parts of the country from April 2008. National Express, the UK's national scheduled coach company, already offers a concessionary fare scheme and as such will not be part of the new scheme.

Long distance coaches are classed differently than local bus services. However, across the National Express network, there are a few long distance services with a section of the route classified as a 'local' route, which will be part of the proposed scheme with local districts. The company will not be part of county-wide schemes.

The new scheme does not affect the existing national concessionary coach scheme, which is called routesixty. This scheme, run in conjunction with the Department for Transport, allows anyone 60 and above, and people with a disability, to travel for up to half price on National Express services. The people who are entitled to this scheme are not required to be a UK resident, or to hold a concessionary pass or discount card.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

There is a new free travel scheme within Scotland, which National Express will be part of. Details of this will be circulated in the next few days
In Wales concessionary card holders can travel free anywhere within Wales, but express coach services are specifically excluded, even where they are registered as local services

For more information, please contact Joy Williams in the National Express PR department on 0121 423 8716 or 07795 267 453.

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