The Cost and Consequences of Free Local Public Transport for Older and Disabled People in Greater Manchester

Elderly and disabled people in most parts of Britain have, for many years, been able to travel on local public transport at reduced fares, compared with those charged to other adult passengers. However, such concessionary fares have often been available only at restricted times and been limited to travel by bus. Over the past five years, free concessionary fares have been introduced for local bus travel, first throughout Wales, then in Scotland and from 1st April 2006 for “off-peak” local travel within England. This paper examines the effects of introducing such free off-peak travel on local bus, tram and train services for the elderly and disabled residents of Greater Manchester. This has involved a substantial increase in the funding provided by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and Executive to reimburse the operators of local public transport services for the loss of revenue and additional costs resulting from these concessionary fare arrangements.