Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of providing concessionary bus passes on community transport operators in West Dorset.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) applies on eligible local bus services as defined in concessionary travel legislation. Certain community transport services may be eligible for the scheme where they meet the relevant statutory criteria.

The ENCTS currently costs around £795 million annually in reimbursement costs to operators. Any change to the statutory concession or to the services eligible for reimbursement would need to be carefully considered for their impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.

Local authorities in England may also provide discretionary concessions in addition to the statutory ENCTS entitlement, including on community transport services that are not eligible for the ENCTS. Any such concessions are determined and funded locally, taking account of local needs and priorities.