Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007

Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007

2007 CHAPTER 13

Commentary on Sections

National concession: journeys not beginning on London bus network

Section 2: The national concession: supplementary

20. Travel concession authorities under sections 145 to 150 of the 2000 Act are responsible for issuing passes to their residents, reimbursing operators providing the national concession, and enforcement of the national concession. Prior to the Act, with respect to England they were defined in section 146 of the 2000 Act as non-metropolitan district councils, county councils (so far as there is no district council for the area), and Passenger Transport Executives for passenger transport areas. Section 2 of the Act amends this definition of ‘travel concession authority,’ adding ‘London authority’ (London borough councils and the Common Council of the City of London) and the Council of the Isles of Scilly. This means that London authorities need to reimburse the operators of London service permit services for their provision of the national concession on ‘eligible services’ (see paragraph 5 above). London authorities will not issue permits under the 2000 Act, as permits issued to London residents under the 1999 Act will be used by London residents to access the national concession outside London (see new section 145A(3)). Although there are currently no eligible services on the Isles of Scilly, making the Council of the Isles of Scilly a travel concession authority enables residents to obtain a national concession pass to use on the mainland (see section 145A(4)).