Concessionary bus passes - EDM and e-petition

Thousands of people across the country experiencing mental health difficulties are being excluded from the new England-wide off-peak concessionary bus travel scheme introduced in April 2008.

Currently mental health service users only qualify for concessionary bus travel if they would be refused a driving licence because of their mental illness. We believe this shows a total lack of understanding of the disabling effects of mental health problems and the crucial role public transport can play in helping people overcome them. The Government urgently needs to review the qualifying categories set out in the Transport Act 2000 and introduce a new category alongside those covering physical and learning disabilities.

To sign the e-petition, go to the following page:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/BusTravelPermits/

Please also encourage your MP to sign the EDM, available from the following page:
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=35661&SESSION=891