Concessionary Pass Scheme – Public Consultation Questionnaire

Purpose of the consultation Dorset County Council has suffered significant reductions in its financial settlements from Central Government. This has a big impact on the support available for local bus services. Dorset County Council is proposing a change to its concessionary travel scheme to help to make the financial savings required to ensure as much funding as possible remains available to fund local bus services.

If the proposed change is not made, it is likely to reduce our capability to support bus services across the county. This may mean more of Dorset's bus routes and services are withdrawn in the future.

Current service provided The Dorset concessionary travel scheme currently provides the statutory minimum provision of free travel between 0930 and 2300 on Monday to Friday and at all times on weekends and public holidays.

The scheme also allows free concessionary travel before 0930 on services where the next bus is not until after 1030. Free all day travel is also available for blind and partially sighted pass holders. There is an additional companion scheme which allows individuals with certain disabilities the option of having a companion travel for free within Dorset.

Finally, concessionary pass holders from East Dorset are also granted free all day travel when starting their journey in East Dorset. This is an enhancement funded by East Dorset District Council for its own residents with a valid concessionary pass.

What is proposed? Dorset Travel proposes the following change to Dorset's Concessionary Pass Scheme:

 Removal of free travel before 09:30am on routes that have no other services until after 10.30am.

The companion scheme, free travel before 0930 for blind and partially sighted pass holders and additional concessions provided to East Dorset pass holders will continue as they are currently.

Outcomes By ceasing to provide free concessionary travel before 09:30am, savings will be made that will enable Dorset County Council to focus financial resources more effectively. The changes will also allow for the wider use of schools transport routes for public services. Following on from the results of this consultation, any changes will be implemented to the service in April 2017. Routes affected by proposals

10 Lytchett Matravers - Poole 185 Blandford Camp 14 Marshwood - Chard 210 Bridport - Litton Cheney 25 Gillingham - Salisbury 211 Dorchester-Weymouth 27 Shaftesbury to Wilton 212 Yeovil-Dorchester 37 Gillingham-Poole 300 Witchampton-Wimborne 39 Gillingham-Salisbury 307 Dorchester-Stalbridge 40 Beaminster - Bridport 307 Stalbridge-Dorchester 40 Crewkerne - Bridport Hospital 309 Blandford-Gillingham 52 Bourton-Warminster 309 Gillingham - Blandford 71 Lyme Regis Town Service 311 Blandford-Dorchester 73 Cattistock-Bridport 311 Dorchester-Blandford 73 Bridport-Maiden Newton 368 Blandford-Yeovil 74 Sherborne-Yeovil 368 Blandford-Yeovil 74 Yeovil-Sherborne 740 Salwayash - Beaminster 80 Shaftesbury-Bath X9 Gillingham - Blandford 101 Owermoigne - Dorchester X10 Yeovil-Blandford 101 Crossways - Dorchester X11 Yeovil-Dorchester 104 Wool-Wareham X11 Dorchester - Yeovil 111 Hurn-Christchurch X51 Axminster - Dorchester 111 Jumpers Common - Christchurch X52 Bridport - Exeter 158 Shaftesbury-Wincanton X55 Weymouth - Bovington X12 Weymouth - Blandford X30 Dorchester - Swanage 20 Salisbury-Blandford

Existing feedback on concessionary passes Evidence from the Public and School Transport Review Consultation has shown that some concessionary pass holders would be willing to pay a nominal fare if it helped to maintain existing bus services. Although this is not possible within existing legislation, it would be useful to gain people’s views and opinions on this matter as part of this consultation. Please note that this is not one of the proposals for this consultation but feedback is helpful for future planning.

Why should I complete this questionnaire? We are seeking your views on the proposed changes to Dorset's concessionary travel scheme. We particularly need to know how you would be affected if the concessions mentioned above are stopped. Your answers will help us make decisions and deliver any new arrangements from April next year.

The questionnaire is very brief and none of the answers you give will identify you. Completed questionnaires need to be returned by Friday 13th January.

Please tell us your Postcode. It is important we know your postcode so we can understand if people in some areas have different views to people in other areas, and which areas may be most affected by the proposals. It will not be used for any other purpose. (If responding on behalf of someone else, please provide us with their Postcode)

Are you a concessionary pass holder? Yes No

If yes, how often do you use your concessionary pass? Every day Between 4 and 6 days a week Between 2 and 3 days a week Once a Week Less often than once a week

How much do you agree or disagree with the removal of pre 09.30am travel on services where the next bus is not until after 10.30am? Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree I’m not sure

Would the proposed removal of free travel before 09:30 on weekdays affect you? Yes No

If yes, please state how this will affect you? How would the removal of pre 09:30am travel on weekdays affect how you travel? Please tick all that apply I would not travel at all I would look to use other modes of transport I would travel less often I would still travel, but would pay a fare to travel before 0930 I would wait for a later bus service so that I can still travel for free I do not think it would affect me Other

Other (please specify)

If the Council was able to charge concessionary pass holders a nominal flat fare to allow discounted, as opposed to free, travel, would you be in favour of this? (Please note that this is not one of the proposals for this consultation but feedback is helpful for future planning) Yes No

Please provide any additional comments you have regarding the proposed change:

About you We want to make sure that everyone is treated fairly. That's why we are asking you these questions. We won't share the information you give us with anyone else. We’ll use it only to help us make better decisions about services. If you would rather not answer any of these questions, you don't have to.

What is your gender? Male Female Prefer not to say

Which of these age groups applies to you? 15 or under 16 - 18 19 - 24 25 - 44 45 - 64 65 – 80 85 or over Prefer not to say

The Equality Act 2010 describes a person as disabled if they have a longstanding physical or mental condition that has lasted, or is likely to last, at least 12 months; and this condition has a substantial adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. People with some conditions (cancer, multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS, for example) are considered to be disabled from the point that they are diagnosed.

Do you consider yourself to be disabled? Yes, but this does not limit my ability to get out and about Yes, and this does limit my ability to get out and about No Prefer not to say

Do you have access to drive a car, van or motorcycle? Yes No

To which of these ethnic groups do you feel you belong? White British White Irish Gypsy/Irish Traveller Any Other White Background Asian/Asian British - Bangladeshi Asian/Asian British - Chinese Asian/Asian British - Indian Asian/Asian British - Pakistani Any other Asian background Black/Black British - African Black/Black British - Caribbean Any Other Black background Mixed ethnic Back Ground - White and Asian Mixed ethnic Background - White and Black African Mixed ethnic background - White and Black Caribbean Any other Mixed Background Any other ethnic group Prefer not to say

What is your religion? No Religion Buddhist Christian Hindu Jewish Muslim Sikh Other faith/religion/belief Prefer not to say

Please return this survey by Friday 13th January to:

Concessionary Passes Consultation Dorset Travel Environment and Economy County Hall Colliton Park Dorchester Dorset DT1 1XJ