Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Plans to improve the delivery of the concessionary bus pass scheme were announced by the Transport Minister Paul Clark, as he launched a consultation on possible changes to the way the scheme is administered.One option being considered is to give county councils responsibility for running the scheme. Currently administration of the scheme is mainly handled by district councils, but the Government believes a change will simplify the system and allow for the more accurate distribution of funding.
Local Authorities receive around £1 billion to fund the statutory concessionary bus pass scheme in their area, which gives 11 million older and disabled people free off-peak bus travel across England.
Paul Clark said;
"Concessionary travel is a successful and popular policy. A recent survey suggests around 95% of the population believe it's right that older and disabled people are entitled to travel for free on off-peak buses.
"We're confident there is enough money in the system, but we need to ensure that the right structures are in place to administer it.
"I look forward to hearing people's views on how to guarantee that pass holders get the most out of this billion pound scheme and concessionary travel remains sustainable for the future."
The administrative arrangements for concessionary travel have remained the same since the statutory minimum bus concession was introduced in 2001. Since then various changes have been made to improve and extend the scope of the concession, and in April last year the limitation of local area only travel was replaced by free England-wide off-peak bus travel.
Labels: Government outlines plans
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Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood reminded the nation's governors and state Secretaries of Transportation today that any money they save on transportation projects paid for with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars must be used for additional transportation projects.
Across the country, reports are showing that contractor bids to build and repair transportation networks are coming in substantially below the original engineering estimates. In some cases, thanks to fierce competition for the work and the low price of petroleum, bids are 10, 20 and even 30 percent lower than expected.
In a letter, Secretary LaHood urged the governors and transportation secretaries to take those cost savings and use the money for additional projects that will put more people to work.
"We will work with you to ensure that your state benefits from your frugality," LaHood wrote. "Savings you accrue from awarding low bids, and from reduced construction costs due to your oversight and project management should remain in your state to be spent on other eligible transportation projects."
In just seven weeks, the Department of Transportation has approved over 2,400 requests worth $7.5 billion for highway, road, bridge and airport construction and repairs nationwide. Projects have been approved in every state. DOT economists estimate that over 39,000 job-years will be created just from the projects approved so far.
The Obama Administration is committed to getting ARRA dollars into the economy as quickly as possible in order to get the economy back on track. A group of senior officials from across the Department of Transportation, known as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) team is monitoring the program to make sure the money is rapidly made available and that the spending is closely monitored and transparent to the public.
Across the country, reports are showing that contractor bids to build and repair transportation networks are coming in substantially below the original engineering estimates. In some cases, thanks to fierce competition for the work and the low price of petroleum, bids are 10, 20 and even 30 percent lower than expected.
In a letter, Secretary LaHood urged the governors and transportation secretaries to take those cost savings and use the money for additional projects that will put more people to work.
"We will work with you to ensure that your state benefits from your frugality," LaHood wrote. "Savings you accrue from awarding low bids, and from reduced construction costs due to your oversight and project management should remain in your state to be spent on other eligible transportation projects."
In just seven weeks, the Department of Transportation has approved over 2,400 requests worth $7.5 billion for highway, road, bridge and airport construction and repairs nationwide. Projects have been approved in every state. DOT economists estimate that over 39,000 job-years will be created just from the projects approved so far.
The Obama Administration is committed to getting ARRA dollars into the economy as quickly as possible in order to get the economy back on track. A group of senior officials from across the Department of Transportation, known as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) team is monitoring the program to make sure the money is rapidly made available and that the spending is closely monitored and transparent to the public.
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