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Issue

Issue - meetings

Companion Pass - update.

Meeting: 28/01/2021 - Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation (Item 3)

3 Companion Pass - update. pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Purpose

Following the Concessionary Fares Companion Pass Scheme Entitlement pilot and consultation, this report outlines the pilot consultation results and a series of recommendations for the scheme.

 

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation:

1.    Notes the contents of this report;

2.    Approves the revised changes to the eligibility criteria below, following the 12 month pilot for the Concessionary Fares Scheme Companion Pass:

 

To qualify for a companion pass you will need to provide.

 

War Pensioners Mobility Allowance

Or

A letter from the Department of Work & Pensions confirming that the applicant is currently in receipt of the Higher rate of the care and mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

Or

Personal independence payment at 8 points or above against either the PIP "moving around" or "communicating verbally" activities 

Or

8 points or above against the "planning and following a journey" activity and with enhanced rate of care

Or

Evidence you receive Attendance Allowance at the higher rate

 

And

Additionally to one of the above evidence the below evidence must be provided:

 

A healthcare professional’s report e.g. physiotherapist, podiatrist, nurse etc. containing their contact details confirming your disabilities and inability to travel alone.

 

3.    Approves for all existing pass holders to be contacted before the expiry of their current pass to ensure that any disadvantages are mitigated where possible due to the introduction of the revised eligibility criteria.

Additional documents:

Decision:

 

DECISIONS

The Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation:

1.    Noted the contents of this report.

2.    Approved the revised changes to the eligibility criteria, following the 12 months pilot for the concessionary fares scheme companion pass.

 

 

Minutes:

Felicity Tidbury, Transport Planning Manager introduced the report.

 

In response to questions, Simon Bell, Principal Public Transport Officer and Gina Perryman, Access & Equality Advisor explained that:

 

Companion passes are normally renewed for three years but could be up to a maximum of five years.  However, it is being proposed that the passes that are due to expire on 1 April this year will be automatically renewed for one year to take the pressure off the medical professionals who have to complete renewal forms for pass holders.

 

People who hold both a disabled person's pass and a companion pass can travel at any time of the day.

 

The Companion Pass scheme is now based on criteria rather than financial need and mirrors the schemes in most other local areas.  It was felt that the new scheme reaches further than the previous one.

 

Fewer than ten respondents said they felt that they would not meet the criteria. 

 

If a new application or renewal is not successful, the council would look into whether the applicant is receiving all the benefits to which they are entitled. 

 

Health care professionals are required to confirm the information given by the applicant.  It was suggested that in the future a template could be created to make the process simpler.

 

DECISIONS

The Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation:

1.    Noted the contents of this report.

2.    Approved the revised changes to the eligibility criteria, following the 12 months pilot for the concessionary fares scheme companion pass.