Last updated at 11:50, Thursday, 11 October 2012

THE popular discretionary concessionary travel scheme is set to be withdrawn by Copeland Council.

As an alternative to the national bus pass, Copeland residents can currently receive £28 of travel vouchers which can be used with local approved travel operators or to purchase a railcard.

The Copeland scheme is the only discretionary scheme still running in Cumbria, and has been available to those in receipt of Guaranteed Pension Credit, or to eligible disabled people.

However, this scheme will be withdrawn from April next year and will save the council £30,000.

The council says: “We know that this scheme is popular and the proposals would mean that a number of eligible residents would no longer be able to apply for and receive this benefit.

“However, the statutory English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (bus pass) remains available. We are also working closely with Cumbria County Council to improve community transport initiatives across Copeland.”

First published at 11:05, Thursday, 11 October 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk