Unacceptable delays to Concessionary Travel Scheme

4.59.15pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 28th Mar 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has expressed her concern that the pilot schemes for concessionary travel on community rail lines have yet to be rolled out.

Rural stretches of the Heart of Wales line were to be included in the scheme, which was supposed to start in early 2007.

Ms Williams said: "We are now at the end of March, and I have seen no evidence that these pilot schemes will be up and running any time soon. This is a real blow to many of my constituents, and to the Heart of Wales line, which would be boosted by the additional usage this scheme would surely bring.

"The Assembly's existing concessionary fare scheme has awarded free bus travel to the elderly and disabled across Wales, but many in my constituency miss out because the bus services just aren't there for them to use. The Heart of Wales line offers a service that would help some of the more vulnerable in our society access local facilities, and it seems only fair that the concessionary scheme is extended to include such journeys"

Notes:

· On the 24 November 2006 the Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, Andrew Davies, announced an Assembly Government pilot scheme to introduce concessionary fares on designated rail services in rural areas. In a press release, the Assembly Government stated that the scheme would initially be designated on the rural stretches of the Heart of Wales Line and the Conwy Valley Line, going on to note that a pilot for this scheme "could take place from early 2007".