Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has met with the Badenoch and Strathspey Community Transport Company and Age Scotland to offer support for their campaign ‘Still Waiting’.

‘Still Waiting’ highlights the fact that at present the concessionary travel scheme doesn’t extend to some of the operations of community transport programmes, which tend to operate in areas that do not have access to a bus service or where people require accessible vehicles.

Commenting on this, Dave said: “For many older people around Scotland, but particularly for those in remote areas, community transport operators are the only form of transport available. I believe it is important to extend the legislation to ensure that all types of vehicles are covered.

Community transport groups are particularly important in remote areas, where bus routes are not as extensive. Community transport groups offer a demand responsive service, which means that more vulnerable people are able to make essential trips like attending a doctor’s surgery or getting in their shopping.

Following a meeting with Dave in Aviemore, Jo Cowan from Age Scotland said:

“Isolation caused by a lack of transport is an issue affecting thousands of people in Scotland, but the issue is particularly acute in the Highlands where many people rely on community transport organisations.

“Age Scotland is delighted that local MSP Dave Thompson recognises the vital contribution that community transport groups make to health and wellbeing, and is grateful for his support to extend the concessionary travel scheme to cover community transport groups.

Maggie Lawson, Development Manager at the Badenoch and Strathspey Community Transport Company also attended the meeting:

“We are delighted that Dave Thompson shares our belief that community transport should be included in the concessionary scheme. In an area like Badenoch and Strathspey, around 95% of the people we have on our register are older, and rely on us as they cannot access public transport. This is particularly an issue for people with mobility problems, as few buses are equipped with low floors.

Adding to this, Dave said:

“There are significant health benefits where older people are able to lead a more active life. These physical and psychological benefits fit well with the Scottish Government’s preventative spend agenda, and although it is difficult to quantify, will reduce health expenditure in the medium term.

“Free travel for older people is an excellent policy which ensures that those who have contributed to our society for many years are able to remain active in that society during their retirement and I was happy to sign Age Scotland’s petition, ‘Still Waiting’.

Note:

More information on Age Scotland’s campaign is available from http://www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/travel-lifestyle/still-waiting-campaign-for-a-better-bus-pass-scheme/