Concessionary fares eligibility ‘clarified’

The Department for Transport is bringing in new regulations relating to the eligibility of ‘free’ concessionary bus passes from 1 April 2009, following a consultation exercise. The bus services removed from the statutory scheme are:-

i) services where more than fifty per cent of the accommodation on the vehicle can be reserved in advance of travel

ii) the service operates for less than six consecutive weeks

iii) the service is primarily designed for tourists or because of the historical interest of the vehicle

iv) rail replacement services

v) fare includes a ‘special amenity element’ (e.g. Park and Ride, services which include admission to an attraction etc.) – the fare has to be ‘significantly higher’ than the normal price for the comparable journey

Traffic concession authorities (unitary and district councils in South West England) have the power to offer the ‘free’ concession on the exempted services.

PlusBus on line

PlusBus day tickets are expected to be available for internet bookings by the end of June. PlusBus tickets give a bus add-on to rail tickets to most major stations in Great Britain. There are currently twenty-eight PlusBus schemes in operation in South West England – each scheme covers a geographical area with one or more railway stations.

Devon outlines plans for rural road safety improvements

Devon County Council is planning to implement a range of innovative road safety measures with funding from the Department for Transport – the measures will be implemented at locations where detailed analysis has revealed excessive vehicle speeds and/or people driving too close to the preceding vehicle.

Security plans for Sydney Gardens, Bath

Network Rail is consulting on plans to fence off railway land at Sydney Gardens, Bath - both Sydney Gardens and the low retaining walls dividing the railway land from the garden are listed. During the last three years there have been ninety-five reported incidences of trespass by people crossing the low walls on to the railway lines, which are used by a high volume of passenger and freight trains travelling between Bath Spa and Swindon and between Bristol Temple Meads and Westbury. Options include the building of railings on top of the existing walls or a ditch alongside the walls.

Highways Agency switches off lights

The Highways Agency has switched-off the lighting on the M4 motorway between junction 21 (M48 interchange) and 22 (M49 interchange) between 0001hrs and 0500hrs in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

People

Anna Walker has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport as the Chair elect of the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), the independent safety and economic regulator for Britain’s railways; from 5 July 2009, subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Transport Select Committee – Ms Walker succeeds Chris Bolt, who was appointed to the role in 2004.

And finally,

Several CrossCountry Voyager trains have now returned to service following the removal of the on-board shop and the provision of additional seats and luggage racks – the reservations system for this train operating company is still based on the original seating layout which has led to adverse criticism from customers with special seat requirements!