Bus Passes – what next?
We asked Deputy James Reed for an interview about the Interim Scrutiny Report on Housing Transformation but he has not responded. So here are some thoughts on Bus Passes to consider instead. If you have any further information on existing or proposed policies – please make contact with SSTAG
When Connex are replaced by the new Bus operator next spring – what will happen to bus (aka travel) passes?
Currently persons who have paid 40 years or more of Social Security contributions can apply for a free “Senior Citizens Travel Pass” which permits free travel on scheduled services. In practice this policy says that men must be 63 or older and women 60.
All residents of 65 or over are also entitled to a pass.
It is not proposed to change this policy at the present time – but there are plans to make the minimum age to be 65 for men and women (whether retired or not) “in about six years or so.”
Clearly the current age difference is discriminatory.
There is a further element of discrimination by virtue of the 1974 Social Security Law and an Act of the old Defence Committee in the 1980s which gives a slightly different status to persons “born in Jersey ”. This is also considered as not compliant with Human Rights standards but neither the
Social Security Department
President Senator Francis Le Gresley tel 445505 f.legresley@gov.je
nor the
Transport & Technical Services Department (TTS)
President Deputy Kevin Lewis tel 85723 or O7797 717982 k.lewis@gov.je
are keen to broadcast the facts.
Some Health Insurance Exception (HIE) travel passes are also issued on an annual basis.
This scheme is now closed to new entrants.
Passes can be issued to persons who held an HIE travel card on 27 January 2007
BUT
If an HIE pass was allowed to expire before 27 January 2008 and not renewed, it will not now be re-issued.
This policy was made at the time when Income Support was introduced by the Social Security Department. It had been intended that a “transport component” should be part of Income Support after 2008 but this was rejected by the States.
It is possible that HIE passes will be withdrawn when the new bus operator takes over in April 2008.
This also seems to be a discriminatory policy.
Jersey public transport is also falling behind standards that apply in the UK
The continuation of the HIE bus passes scheme will have to be fought for in the States.
There are other oddities in the Jersey system which may be also need to be lobbied about.
For example, children only travel free up to the age of three years (four year olds must pay) but the age is five years in the UK
Seems that we might need test cases to challenge the Jersey system on several issues.
Any volunteers?
Since posting this blog we have had several requests for us to do something about bus passes for people who do not qualify under the present rules.
ReplyDeleteObviously many people must be struggling to pay bus fares and of course buses do not operate after 7pm or sundays on many routes and taxis are out of the question due to cost.
With low pay jobs it is also clear that paying for several bus trips can make it financially impossible to be able to afford to work.
Yet all we seem to hear from Minister Le Gresley is that he is devoting more and more resources to catching income support cheats.
Why doesn't he introduce an action line for people to contact with instances of people who are struggling under the present system or are not receiving all the benefits that they are entitled to or need to survive?
WE will start lobbying on such issues just as soon as we can but we too need support from YOU and our so called elected representatives to be effective.
WE shall be having a presence at the 28 September public celebration if it takes place in the Royal Square and will need volunteers - so please make contact NOW if you can help.