Decision details

Having complied with paragraph 15 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules.

(i)  To agree to reimburse bus operators in line with the Department for Transport Concessionary Fares Guidance and the calculation methodology as detailed in appendix 1. This will use the Reimbursement Calculator published by the Department for Transport to determine the reimbursement rate for each operator.

(ii)  To agree the local enhancements above the statutory minimum, which is to allow concessionary travel from 0900 rather than 0930 and between 2300 and 0030 for Southampton residents.

(iii)  To agree the delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Green City & Place, to approve future years Concessionary Fare Scheme details where there is no material change relating to policy or budget.

1.  This report is submitted for consideration as a General Exception under paragraph 15 /16 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules in Part 4 of the City Council’s Constitution, notice having been given to the Chair of the relevant Scrutiny Panel and the Public.

2.  The Concessionary Fare Scheme for 2021/22 needs to be approved prior to the commencement of the Scheme on 1st April 2021. Delays have occurred in finalising the Scheme details for 2021/22 due to awaiting further guidance from the DfT relating to concessionary fare reimbursement national policy during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

3.  To enable the Council to comply with the statutory requirement to approve and publish the Concessionary Fare Scheme details including the local enhancements and the reimbursement rate that the Council will use.

The Council could withdraw the local enhancements that are offered to City residents but this is likely to achieve little saving as most passengers would just travel 30 minutes later in the morning once free travel is allowed.

None