Discount bus passes for the disabled

Wednesday 17 August 2016

Islanders with long-term disabilities that prevent them driving could soon benefit from a discount bus pass scheme.

The trial will run from early 2017 until the end of 2019, and will be reviewed in early 2019.

The £600,000 to fund the pilot will come from the Car Park Trading Fund.

To qualify for a pass a person must:

• Be a Jersey resident (for at least the last five years);
• Have a disability that would prevent them from being able to drive;
• Be aged between five or above and not entitled to an older person's pass (outside these ages free bus travel is already available).

Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Eddie Noel, said: “The States has been working on a Disability Strategy to try to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Providing mobility is a very important part of this. We recognise that this scheme, while benefitting a significant number of Jersey residents, will not benefit those, who although being eligible, are not able to get to and from accessible bus stops, for example. We hope there will be sufficient funding to allow us to explore alternatives for these people as well.”