Notice of Motion Veteran's Travel - Briefing Note

For decision · This went to the meeting on Tue 14 Jul 2026. What was decided is in that meeting's minutes.

A Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Horn and seconded by Councillor Dowling asks the Council to investigate a free bus travel scheme for veterans in East Sussex who hold a valid Veterans ID card, and to engage with bus operators, veteran organisations and neighbouring authorities on delivery options. p2p3p10p11p12p13

East Sussex County Council already operates the English Concessionary Transport Scheme (ENCTS), which gives eligible residents such as those of State Pension age or with qualifying disabilities free off-peak bus travel. p16p17

An estimated 73% of the East Sussex veteran population is already eligible for a bus pass under this scheme, leaving about 5,798 veterans who are not, and covering them could add around £0.53m a year in reimbursement costs. p23

The briefing note's conclusion states that the proposed scheme would be a new, currently unfunded discretionary scheme. p32

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Show the 10 passages this is based on

• p21. Introduction 1.1 The Notice of Motion at 1.2 submitted by Councillor Horn and seconded by
• p3Councillor Dowling details the following:
• p10This Council therefore resolves: · To request that the appropriate Cabinet Member and officers investigate
• p11implementation of a free bus travel scheme for veterans resident in East Sussex who have a valid Veterans ID card.
• p12· To engage with local bus operators, veteran organisations and neighbouring
• p13authorities to develop options for delivery of free bus travel for veterans with valid veteran ID cards.
• p162.1 East Sussex County Council (ESCC) operates the English Concessionary Transport Scheme (ENCTS) which
• p17provides eligible residents, those of State Pension age and people with qualifying disabilities, with free off‑peak travel on local bus services across England. Eligibility is based on national criteria, with applications requiring proof of age, disability and residency. Passes can be applied for, renewed or replaced through ESCC a managed process.
• p233.3 Table 1, illustrates that two thirds are already eligible for a bus pass due to age and around a fifth of 16 to 64 year olds may be eligible due to having a disability. This equates to an estimated 73% of the total East Sussex veteran population (15,378) likely to be eligible for an ENCTS bus pass. (This assumes that all reported disabilities meet the Concessionary pass scheme’s qualifying criteria). This leaves an estimated 5,798 of veterans who do not currently qualify for a concessionary bus pass. 3.4 Based on current average reimbursement levels the introduction of approximately 5,798 additional eligible veterans could result in an estimated additional annual reimbursement cost of circa £0.53m (26/27 values), subject to actual uptake and travel behaviour.
• p325. Conclusion 5.1 While the Council recognises the significant contribution of veterans and remains committed to the Armed Forces Covenant as noted in the motion, the proposed scheme would create a new and currently unfunded discretionary scheme.