A NEW concessionary travel scheme for elderly and disabled people in Darlington is to be discussed by councillors next week.

At present, local authorities are free to implement whatever type of scheme they wish, within statutory limits.

In Darlington, the existing scheme provides people with travel tokens worth £34 which can be used for buses, wheelchair accessible taxis or the Dial-A-Ride service.

From April 1, a statutory minimum concessionary travel scheme is to be introduced nationwide.

The scheme will offer a minimum concession of half fare for travel by bus within the local authority area and will operate from 9.30am to 11pm, Monday to Friday, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

It will apply to people who are over pensionable age and the registered disabled. There will be no administration charge.

Next week, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet will consider the proposals with a view to operating the scheme 24 hours a day, seven days a week and issuing a three-year pass.

To ensure that those who cannot use conventional public transport are not worse off under the new statutory scheme, the council cabinet will also consider introducing a scheme to the value of £35 for use on accessible taxis and Dial-a-Ride.

Councillor Nick Wallis, the cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Darlington has had a good scheme for many years and the legislation allows us to build upon its best elements. I'm sure that the abolition of the £5 administration charge and the creation of a three-year valid pass will be welcomed by users."

This year in Darlington there are 17,130 people using the concessionary travel scheme.

The council says it is working with bus operators to continue the free fare pass and will be consulting with organisations representing elderly and disabled people on the detailed operation of the scheme