Concessionary travel journeys: FOI release

FOI reference: FOI/18/00126
Date received: 15 January 2018
Date responded: 7 February 2018

Information requested

1. The number of concessionary travel journeys made by me between the dates 23rd October 2017 and 12th January 2018.

2. The percentage of what 18 instances of over-staging experienced by me is against the total number of journeys made by me in this time period.

3. What, if any, initiatives or plans the Scottish Government Transport Scotland has in place or intends to put in place to combat what is surely an unacceptably high level of concessionary travel over-staging by bus companies?

Response

With regards to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), you asked for:

1. The number of concessionary travel journeys made by me between the dates 23rd October 2017 and 12th January 2018.

I can confirm that 83 journeys in total have been electronically recorded against your concessionary travel card between 23rd October 2017 and 12th January 2018.

2. The percentage of what 18 instances of over-staging experienced by me is against the total number of journeys made by me in this time period.

I note you advise of 18 instances of over-staging by First Glasgow, however I am advised that analysis could only be completed on 17 journeys due to lack of detail for 1 journey which I believe you were informed of in an earlier email.

As the majority of your communications about overstaging relate to First Glasgow, we have completed percentage analysis solely on these journeys and also as an overall for all journeys made during this time period.

I can confirm that 13 of your 83 journeys were made on operators other than First, therefore based on the 70 journeys made on First services between these two dates, the percentage of overstaging experienced by you is 24%. Taking all journeys into account, including the 13 not made on First services, the overall percentage of overstaging would be 20% across all journeys undertaken.

3. What, if any, initiatives or plans the Scottish Government Transport Scotland has in place or intends to put in place to combat what is surely an unacceptably high level of concessionary travel over-staging by bus companies?

Transport Scotland is commited to ensuring accurate reimbursement to bus operators and as previously advised, we regularly communicate with the bus operators to emphasise the importance of correct journey recording and inform them that any discrepencies found will be deducted from their reimbursement claims.

We currently have in place a Counter Fraud Strategy and Response Plan in accordance with the Scottish Public Finance Manual. During 2018, we will be undertaking a review process to ensure that the Strategy and Plan is in keeping with our core counter fraud objectives of Deter, Prevent, Detect and Investigate.

We appreciate the time and effort that you have taken to bring this matter and your concerns to our attention and would hope that this information illustrates the considerable effort made by us to protect the integrity of the concessionary travel scheme and the wider public purse.

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