Coach industry welcomes half-fare scheme

London, March 31 -- Coach and bus industry body CPT has welcomed the Government's announcement of a national concessionary fares scheme for express coach services.

The scheme, which is the result of negotiation between Government, CPT and coach operators, will take effect on 1 May.

From that date, anyone aged 60 and over or who has a local authority concessionary travel pass because they are disabled, will automatically qualify for discounted fares on express coach services run by participating operators. This will mean a 50% reduction on most fares.

CPT Director General, Brian Nimick, said

"Express coach services are an essential part of the public transport mix, relied upon by many who have no access to a car but who prefer to travel by road. The new scheme will make longer-distance travel an option for an even greater number of older and disabled people.

"The coach industry has worked hard with Government to enable this half-fare scheme to be introduced, and is happy to be associated with any move to encourage the use of coach travel. It is a very positive development, and we congratulate the Government and the operators on bringing it to fruition."

Participation in the scheme is voluntary; but National Express will be participating from 1 May as will Berry's of Taunton, and Baker's Dolphin of Weston-super-Mare. Other operators of express services are free to join.

Editors' Notes

The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) is the national trade association representing bus, coach and light rail operators.

For further information or comment, please contact Stephen Heard or Christopher Nice on +44 (0) 207 836 0712. For radio interviews, CPT has an ISDN line: +44 (0) 207 379 6469.

Participating operators are available for direct information or comment:

National Express
Alexandra Abbotts
+44 (0) 121 233 9843
Baker's Dolphin
Tim Newcombe
+44 (0) 1934 415000
Berry's
Caroline Ling
+44 (0) 1823 331356

Baker's Dolphin run the London Flyer service from Bristol and Weston.

Berry's run the London Superfast service from Yeovil and Wincanton.

Stephen Heard/Chris Nice TEL (Day): +44 (0) 207 240 3131 TEL (Direct): +44 (0) 207 836 0712