People who are permanently unable to drive become eligible for free transport on Bay of Plenty Regional Council bus services from next week, 1st of July.
The Accessibility Concession will get loaded on to the passenger’s Bee Card and enable free public transport seven days a week. If you think you may be eligible, you will need to be assessed. Please check the list of approved assessors online or call 0800 4 BAY BUS for more information.
Regional Council Public Transport Committee Chairman Cr Andrew von Dadelszen says the concession enables greater independence, flexibility and makes travel more accessible for many people across the region.
“It will provide greater region wide access to schools, tertiary institutes, employment and civic services for people with specific mobility impairments,” Cr von Dadelszen says.
“We are also providing an option for Accessibility Concession holders who cannot travel independently free transport for their +1 companion.”
The permanent mobility impairment may be physical, intellectual, psychological, sensory or neurological. The concession does not cover people with temporary disabilities.
Regional Council Transport Operations Team Lead, Jen Proctor says it is exciting to be assisting members of the community better through free public transport.
“This new free transport option, along with the 1+ companion travel has been welcomed by the mobility impaired community and we are looking forward to supporting them to give our bus services a go,” Ms Proctor says.
Please visit baybus.co.nz for FAQs and further information.
ENDS
For further media information, please contact media@boprc.govt.nz