05 March 2008
The Minister for Transport and Technical Services has approved a scheme that will allow current holders of an HIE concessionary bus pass to continue to travel free on the buses. Although the Low Income Support Scheme is now in operation, the States recognised that those people who were eligible to travel free on the buses may lose this concession with the new scheme. Following a States debate on a report and proposition brought by the Health, Social Security and Housing Scrutiny Panel in November last year, relevant Ministers agreed to work together to ensure some continuity to the current scheme.
The Minister for Transport and Technical Services, Deputy Guy de Faye, said “I am pleased to be able to continue this concession for those people who currently have an HIE concessionary bus pass. I listened to what my fellow Members were saying during the States debate last year and have agreed that the previous scheme can continue for at least a year to ease the change over from one benefit scheme to another.” The Minister added “ I must emphasise that these arrangements relate to HIE recipients ONLY and Senior Citizens will continue to travel free on the public bus service.”
Anyone who has an HIE concessionary pass should continue to use it on the buses and, when it expires, fill in an application form as before to renew it. TTS will need to confirm with Social Security that the individual continues to receive benefit under Low Income Support. People receiving benefit under the Low Income Support Scheme who previously did not have a concessionary bus pass will not be eligible to receive this concession.