Elderly and disabled residents can use their concessionary bus passes earlier during coronavirus outbreak

Thursday 19 March 2020

Suffolk County Council is allowing concessionary travel for those with elderly and disabled bus passes early in the morning (before 9.30am) as the coronavirus epidemic continues.

The local authority working alongside its partners and bus companies, has revealed that it is extending its concessionary travel for those with elderly and disabled bus passes as supermarkets make special arrangements for exclusive early morning shopping times for these people.

It comes as supermarket chains Sainsbury’s and Iceland decided to open for two hours just so elderly and vulnerable people can shop during the coronavirus outbreak. This move has been introduced in response to panic buying in the shops which saw shelves emptied.

Previously, concessionary travel did not kick in until 9:30 after the morning rush-hour, but in response to coronavirus the local authority is allowing those who have the passes to travel earlier so they can get to the shops to buy food.

Cllr Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs, said:

“I’m very grateful to our bus companies in Suffolk who have worked with us to extend the use of bus passes on their services before 9.30am.

“This is something that will be extremely helpful during a time when some shops are opening for periods specifically for the older generation and the most vulnerable to support them during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“This change will come into force tomorrow morning (Friday) and I’m very happy that we have been able to support those in our community during this period of disruption.”

ENDS