PUBLIC TRANSPORT
 
East Lothian Council must produce a Local Transport Strategy though it is not the Council’s responsibility to provide or run public bus services.  Generally it is the responsibility of commercial operators to provide and run public bus services.  The Council monitors the commercial provision and identifies gaps in this provision.  The Council may purchase additional bus services to enhance commercial services. 
 
East Lothian Council maintains a database of all bus stops and bus services in East Lothian.  The timetable information is made available to national information services, namely
 
www.travelinescotland.com and www.transportdirect.info
 
Additionally, the Council provides funding to provide accessible transport in East Lothian.  We also fund reduced cost travel through the concessionary fares and Taxicard Schemes. 

Blue Badge Scheme
The Council is responsible for the issue of Blue Badge parking permits to residents of East Lothian whose mobility is severely and permanently impaired.
The holders of a blue badge are permitted to park in areas normally subjected to restrictions and this benefits residents who are unable to walk great distances.

Concessionary Travel Scheme
On 1 April 2006 the Scottish Executive introduced a new National Entitlement
Card providing Scotland wide free bus travel for people aged 60 and over and
qualifying disabled people. This new card has replaced the existing East Lothian
concessionary travel permit.

The new National Entitlement card, or Travel Pass, entitles older and disabled people
to free bus travel to and from anywhere in Scotland and allows for a number of
free ferry journeys for island communities. Some train journeys originating within East
Lothian are also subject to reduced fares.

Application forms for the Concessionary Travel scheme are available from your local
library. When you return the form you will be asked to supply an approved passport sized photograph, proof of age (for those aged 60 and over) and proof of address. Qualifying disabled applicants will also have to supply additional information as detailed on the application form.

You may apply for the pass up to two weeks before your 60th birthday, but the card will
not be activated until the date of your birthday.

Also see Smartcards - Concessionary Travel

Taxicard Scheme
The Council operates a Taxicard Scheme that gives concessionary travel on taxis for mobility-impaired people in East Lothian.
The Taxicard scheme is aimed at  residents who are unable to travel on local bus services

For further details on Blue Badge, Concessionary Travel or Taxicard Schemes, contact Vera Cameron: Tel 01620-827974