Scottish Government and improvement Service problems regarding free bus travel scheme:FOI Release

Information requested

1. When did the Scottish Government and improvement Service identify problems with the under 22 free bus travel scheme, in relation to application and processing, and when did the Scottish Government advise Transport Scotland, Glasgow Life or other stakeholders to pause processing applications both online and in person (ie through Glasgow Libraries)? 
2. When did the Scottish Government advise Transport Scotland, Glasgow Life or other stakeholders to restart processing on line and via Glasgow Libraries. 
3. How many application forms were delayed during this period.
4. What recommendations did Scottish Government or improvement Service recommend to Transport Scotland, Glasgow Life, and other stakeholders to improve the service. 
5. Please provide copies of communication in 1 – 4 

Response

When did the Scottish Government and improvement Service identify problems with the under 22 free bus travel scheme, in relation to application and processing, and when did the Scottish Government advise Transport Scotland, Glasgow Life or other stakeholders to pause processing applications both online and in person (ie through Glasgow Libraries)? 

Transport Scotland, an agency of the Scottish Government, is in charge of the policy and some parts of the delivery of the National Concessionary Travel schemes (such as repaying bus operators). The Improvement Service are in charge of applications made through getyournec.scot. All other applications are managed by local authorities.

Transport Scotland has not recommended pausing applications for the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme at any point since its launch, nor are we aware of any local authority doing so.

When did the Scottish Government advise Transport Scotland, Glasgow Life or other stakeholders to restart processing on line and via Glasgow Libraries. 

Transport Scotland has not recommended pausing applications for the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme at any point since its launch, nor are we aware of any local authority doing so.

How many application forms were delayed during this period.

Transport Scotland has not recommended pausing applications for the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme at any point since its launch, nor are we aware of any local authority doing so.

What recommendations did Scottish Government or improvement Service recommend to Transport Scotland, Glasgow Life, and other stakeholders to improve the service. 

Glasgow Life were given a grant of £10,000 to hire additional staff. This was to assist Glasgow Life with clearing a backlog of enquiries in advance of the national marketing campaign, and to better cope manage with an increase of enquiries and applications during the campaign. 

Please provide copies of communication in 1 – 4 

Please find attached a copy of the grant agreement between the Improvement Service and Glasgow Life.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

202300338773_Grant agreement between IS and GL - FOI

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