Free Rail Travel for Blind and Partially Sighted People and Companions
- Submitted by: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
- Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 October 2022
- Motion reference: S6M-06145
- Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, 13 December 2022
That the Parliament notes that there is no national entitlement to free rail travel for companions under the National (Scotland) Concessionary Travel for Blind Persons card; understands that this is in contrast to the provision afforded to bus travel; is concerned that cost was named by more disabled people than non-disabled people as a reason not to use the train in the 2021 Scottish Household Survey; believes that a national rail concession policy for companions would improve safety, access to employment and social connections for the estimated 180,000 people living with sight loss in Scotland, including in the Central Scotland region, and notes the calls on the Scottish Government to work with local authorities to establish a national policy.
Supported by:
Karen Adam, Jackie Baillie, Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Ariane Burgess, Alexander Burnett, Maggie Chapman, Foysol Choudhury, Katy Clark, Sharon Dowey, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Pam Gosal, Ross Greer, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Craig Hoy, Stephen Kerr, Monica Lennon, Douglas Lumsden, Fulton MacGregor, Gillian Mackay, Roz McCall, Douglas Ross, Mark Ruskell, Alexander Stewart, Paul Sweeney, Mercedes Villalba, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White