CALLS are growing for free bus travel for disabled people to be extended to all night services.
Currently, people with disabilities who have a valid disabled national entitlement card (NEC) are eligible for free travel on most local and long-distance bus services throughout Scotland.
However, this does not apply for night bus services which operate at a premium fare, such as Lothian Buses in Edinburgh.
The disabled NEC card cannot be used on the following:
- Services which operate through the night at a premium fare
- Excursions, tours or group hire of coaches
- Any services where fares currently charged by the operator of that service include a special amenity element
- Services which are difficult to align with routine services and fare structures
The services which are eligible for concessions are set out in Scottish Government legislation, meaning that for any changes to be made, the law would have to be amended.
Greens MSP Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill has now called for the disabled NEC card to be eligible on all night bus services.
Previously an Edinburgh councillor, Kinross-O'Neill said she repeatedly called for the concession to apply on night buses in the city, but was met with concerns over costing in response.
Speaking to The National, she said: "There's this sort of societal idea that disabled people don't go out after dark.
"I had to go to the hospital late at night and the only way that I can get around the city at that time is the buses, and I had to pay for it."
Kinross-O'Neill said that critics might point out that "everyone has to pay" for the service, but she added: "If the Government's committed to providing this service, it can't be dependent on your local bus service or your council.
"It should be free and clear for everybody."
There are also safety concerns, with the possibility that disabled people may not be able to access bus services and be stranded late at night as a result.
"There's already issues with lots of vulnerable groups getting home safely," Kinross-O'Neill said.
"But for disabled people especially, sometimes the buses are the only accessible form of transport. There's a lot less risk compared to a taxi, and a lot more safety measures put in place.
"It's disappointing that if we are promoting a service and running a service, it shouldn't exclude people.
"I think it would be quite a small thing to fix."
Kinross-O'Neill pointed out that many people are not aware that the free bus pass does not apply on all buses – including the First Minister.
In a now-deleted tweet earlier this week, John Swinney incorrectly claimed that "in Scotland, people with disabilities already benefit from free bus travel at all times".
"It's disingenuous or unfair to say it's free all the time," Kinross-O'Neill said, adding that she believed the error was a "mistake" on the First Minister's part rather than being intentional or malicious.
The National approached the Scottish Government regarding the deleted tweet but did not receive a response.
Kinross-O'Neill added: "But there's a lack of awareness there and uncertainty across the board – the council areas are all different."
She added that there needs to be a "joined-up way" of communicating which services are eligible for the disabled NEC card from Transport Scotland, the Scottish Government's transport agency.
The MSP also argued that the application process for the disabled NEC should be simplified, particularly for those with chronic or degenerative conditions that are not going to improve.
"I have to renew my pass every three years," Kinross-O'Neill said.
"That's really frustrating, because you need to go through the whole process.
"I personally have a condition that's not going to get any better, and we would save so much money if it was like, 'Social Security Scotland says you have a condition that is chronic or degenerative, here's a bus pass for the rest of your life'".
She added: "We're not asking for new infrastructure or new buses. It's literally just about accepting something after hours that we already have – it does not change a journey at all."
The National understands that CPT Scotland, the trade association which represents local bus and coach operators, would engage positively with Transport Scotland should changes to the legislation be made.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “Scotland’s national concessionary travel scheme for older and disabled people continues to deliver significant benefits for cardholders, helping people save money, stay connected and live more independent lives.
“Through the scheme, eligible card holders can travel for free throughout Scotland on nearly all local registered and long-distance scheduled bus services. Only a few services are not included, such as any night buses charging a premium fare and tour buses.”
