6. Benefits of the scheme
6. Benefits of the scheme
Introduction
6.1 The telephone survey and focus groups sought to understand the benefits of the scheme to card holders in addition to the impact of the scheme in relation to change in mode of transport. The focus groups also sought to identify recommendations for improvement to the scheme.
Important aspects of the scheme
6.2 Respondents were asked what they believed were the most important aspects of having a concessionary travel card. This revealed that more than 8 in 10 respondents (81%) said it was important that it saves them money or is free (81%), 51% said it gives them independence and freedom and 42% said it enables them to get out of the house.
6.3 When asked to select the aspect which was most important to them, 39% of respondents selected the financial aspects of the card and that it saves them money. This was followed by giving them independence or freedom (20%).
6.4 Analysis by card type revealed significant differences in relation to the most important benefits to card holders. Saving money was significantly more likely to be cited as the most important benefit by 60+ card holders (40%) than Disabled or Visual card holder (23%). On the other hand, having independence and freedom was cited as the most important aspect of the card for Disabled or Visual card holders (33%) than 60+ card holders (16%).
6.5 Generally the same benefits were mentioned across all the focus groups. Participants found it difficult to rank these in order of importance, stating that they were all interlinked. These included benefits such as financial savings from the card, the convenience of being able to leave the car at home, the independence the card offered, it also helps to reduce social isolation and get people out of the house. Below we look in more detail at the individual benefits as mentioned by participants.
Financial savings
6.6 Financial savings were mentioned by all eight groups as being a key benefit of the scheme. A number of participants said that they made considerable savings through the NEC scheme.
"You can get on the bus for free and you don't have to pay £29 a week."
(Male, young disabled group)
"It's quite expensive without the card; it can be £3.60 for a return journey. Add that onto the shopping bill every week and that's an expense."
(Female, older person's group)
6.7 Participants in both older and disabled group discussions said that they were motivated to travel because the bus was free to use. This was thought to be particularly good for older people in general, who then did not need to worry about the cost of travelling.
"It has made the world of difference for elderly and disabled people. You don't need to think about price....you don't have to think 'can I afford to take the bus today?'"
(Female, physical disabilities group)
6.8 However, in three focus group discussions (two with older people and one with people with physical disabilities) one participant in each, suggested that they felt "embarrassed" to be using the card, because they felt as though they were "getting something for nothing". The rest of the group did not agree, although in the discussions with older people some were willing to pay "a nominal fee" towards the cost of the scheme in order to ensure its continuation.
"Does anyone else feel a bit iffy or embarrassed using their card?....I feel as though I'm getting something for nothing and I'm not sure I'm deserving."
(Male, older person's group)
Reduces isolation
6.9 In each of the eight groups, participants felt strongly that the NEC motivated people to 'get out and about' and to keep active. The card was also perceived to reduce social isolation, as older people particularly were able to use the card to meet friends and visit relatives. It was suggested that if people were having to pay to do so, they "might not bother".
"One problem we have in this country is loneliness. We have an ageing population and there are more single people living alone. They need to get up and get out and they need the bus for that."
(Female, older person's group)
Independence
6.10 Disabled participants in particular commented on how the NEC gives them a sense of independence and allows them to travel without having to rely on others. Although this issue was discussed in all eight groups with the vast majority agreeing the card contributed to a sense of independence.
"A sense of independence, so you can live your life. I get to see friends without having to get mum and dad to pick me up: I can get there myself."
(Female, young disabled group)
"It gives me more independence; I've got the (guide) dog so I can come and go as I like."
(Female, blind and visually impaired group)
Confidence
6.11 Linked to the idea of independence, was that of confidence. Specifically young, disabled participants indicated that the card has helped to give them confidence to get out and be more independent.
"It allows me to travel on my own on the bus; it used to be daunting, but now with the card, I was able to do a few practice runs and now I have confidence to do it on my own."
(Male, young disabled group)
"The pass should be a tool to build confidence and independence."
(Male, young Asian deaf group)
Convenience
6.12 Drivers in particular commented on the convenience of the bus, as they benefited from not having to take their cars into towns and cities to park. One participant was motivated to use the bus for convenience, so as not to lose her resident's parking space.
"I live in the city centre and so I don't use my car very much. I have a resident's parking space and if I take the car out during the day, I am likely to lose my parking space - so I use the bus more."
(Female, older person's group)
Health and wellbeing improvements
6.13 Focus group participants all agreed that having the card had made a difference to their lives. This included suggestions that the card had improved their health and wellbeing as well as an overall improvement to their quality of life, for example, by being able to 'get out and about'. Some suggested that without the card, they would not be as active and would not be motivated to go out as much.
"You are interacting with people on the bus, so you are part of society and mingling with other people."
(Male, older person's group)
"I would probably put on more weight without it."
(Female, blind and visually impaired group)
6.14 Participants suggested that as people become more active and motivated to travel as a result of the NEC scheme, there would be a subsequent reduction in the demand for health services. Older participants suggested that as a result of using the card, people were keeping active and were out of the house. This could help to ward against isolation and the "onset of dementia". It was suggested that this would help contribute to savings for the NHS.
"The amount spent on concessionary travel must save the NHS millions through social interaction."
(Female, older person's group)
"Where would we be without it? We would be lonely, depressed and in the GPs for something to cheer us up."
(Female, physical disabilities group)
6.15 The participants all agreed that their overall quality of life had improved as a result of the NEC. This tended to be because the card gave them motivation to get out and undertake activities for little, or no cost. And for others it gave them a new found sense of independence; giving them a new confidence to travel alone.
"Pensioners are out because of the card."
(Female, physical disabilities group)
"It lets you remember there is life outside (your house)"
(Male, physical disabilities group)
"It has made me more independent. I go to Glasgow now and I had never done that before I got the pass."
(Male, young disabled group)
Difference of the card in the future
6.16 Focus group participants were asked to consider what difference they thought the card would make to them in the future. Groups of both older and disabled participants agreed that the card would become more important to them, particularly as they aged and perceived they would rely on the card to keep them active.
"Later in life when I can't rely on my parents it will be useful."
(Male, young disabled group)
"I drive to Aberdeen, but the time will come when I can't do that anymore and the card will be invaluable."
(Male, older person's group)
6.17 For some of the young disabled participants, driving was not an option because of the extent of their disabilities. For them, the card would become a vital means of getting about.
"I have no chance of driving, between my visual impairment and my reactions so I will have to rely on my card."
(Male, young disabled group)
Circumstances without the card
6.18 Focus group participants were asked to consider what their circumstances would be without a National Entitlement Card. All of the groups came up with similar circumstances without the card, including being financially worse off, and having poorer health. Each focus group agreed that without the NEC, they would be financially worse off as they would have to pay for bus travel. Some suggested that they would need to limit their activities to suit their budget.
"It would cost a lot more...you would have to limit yourself to going out one day a week."
(Female, physical disabilities group)
"Financially, I would be poorer."
(Male, blind and visually impaired group)
6.19 The young disabled participants spoke of the NEC as being their 'security' as it meant they did not need to worry or get anxious about handling money.
"I would have no sense of security - having the card is like a comfort blanket; you don't need to worry about having change, it makes me feel safe."
(Female, young disabled group)
"It would make me ill because I panic about money."
(Male, young disabled group)
6.20 Eight participants across five discussion groups suggested that without the card, their health would suffer as a result of not being out and keeping active as much as they would have done, if they could still travel for free.
"My health would be worse; it would be costing me more and I wouldn't be able to do half the things I do now."
(Female, older person's group)
"There would be more chance of getting depression, so it would affect your health."
(Female, blind and visually impaired group)
6.21 All eight groups indicated that they would either 'lose their confidence' and/or their independence if they were not able to travel on the bus. For some this would mean losing contact with friends, or having to rely on others.
"Friendships would be lost, social circles would be lost - especially those further away."
(Male, young Asian deaf group)
"I would lose contact with my friends - I would be anti-social."
(Female, young disabled group)
"You would have to rely on others - your independence would go."
(Male, blind and visually impaired group)
"I wouldn't go out as much, and I would have to depend on my parents a lot and not feel as independent."
(Male, young disabled group)
6.22 Two participants suggested that they would not be able to continue activities such as volunteering, as the cost of travelling regularly would be too much to maintain. Eight other participants however said that they would be determined to continue these activities, but would have to pay to do so.
"If I had to pay to get to my volunteering job, and the business wasn't able to reimburse me, then I wouldn't be able to go."
(Male, older person's group)
6.23 Without the card, 15 participants said that they would be forced to change their mode of transport. For example, drivers said that they might use their car more often, while others said they would have to walk.
"If not able to access the bus, then I would have to rely on lifts from others or walk."
(Female, young Asian deaf group)
"I would have to use the car more but it's expensive.
(Female, learning disabilities group)
6.24 Finally, telephone survey respondents were asked about any changes to travel methods as a result of having the concessionary travel card. Just over 4 in 10 respondents (43%) said that yes, the travel card had indeed changed their travel method. Analysis by age revealed that respondents aged 60-64 were most likely to have stated that their main method of travel has changed as a result of having their NEC.
6.25 Those who agreed with this statement were asked in what way their travel methods had changed. The vast majority of these individuals said they now use the car less frequently (88%). One in ten (10%) stated that they now use the bus instead of the train and 8% stated that they now walk more than they used to.
6.26 Within the focus groups, some participants commented that since they had received their NEC, they had changed their mode of transport, to travel more often on the bus, and less often in their cars. Three participants had given up their cars completely since using their cards and relied solely on public transport.
"I've given up my car, because now, living in the city centre, I found that with the bus pass, I was using the car less and less."
(Female, older person's group)
6.27 Focus groups participants also commented that as a result of the free bus travel with the card, they were now travelling more often and more widely than they did before they had the NEC. This had made a difference to many of the participants as they said they were now able to explore parts of Scotland that they had never been to before. This helped to keep them active and give an increased sense of independence.
"See if you just want to go to Edinburgh, you can just go - you don't have to pay."
(Female, learning disabilities group)
"The deaf community are very diverse and dispersed. Having the card means that they can travel to meet one another."
(Male, young Asian deaf group)
"I'm hoping to use it to explore Scotland - something I have never done before...(why not?)...a cost issue. I'm now able to explore Glasgow for the first time in my adult life."
(Male, older person's group)
Improvements to the NEC scheme
6.28 Focus group participants were asked if they could suggest any improvements to the National Entitlement Card scheme. Related to the points raised about satisfaction with the scheme overall was the suggestion that more needs to be done to increase bus drivers' awareness of disability issues. The deaf participants suggested that an introduction to basic sign language be introduced to the theory test for bus drivers.
"My dream is that all bus drivers learn sign language to reduce the hassle."
(Male, young Asian deaf group)
6.29 For physically disabled participants, they would like to see the scheme improved through more training for drivers on the use of ramps and lifts so passengers could more easily access the bus.
6.30 The deaf community felt the scheme would be improved with more accessible information. These participants requested information about the NEC to be made available in British Sign Language -perhaps on a DVD format. This included information such as applying for a card and where you can use it. This view was shared by the blind and visually impaired participants who also requested more accessible information - especially in relation to bus timetables.
"There should be information disseminated in a manner that we understand, like on a DVD."
(Female, young Asian deaf group)
"When we first got the card, we were really excited, but there is a lot of information about its use that is not disseminated to the deaf community. It is written in English, so we don't read it."
(Female, young Asian deaf group)
6.31 Also mentioned as a possible improvement was to extend the scheme to cover train travel. Already some participants enjoyed a discounted fare on the trains, but it was indicated these participants would have preferred for this to be free travel under the scheme (although participants were clear that any extension of the scheme should not be to the detriment of the bus element). Others mentioned their desire to be able to use the card in England, so that they could travel further to see friends and family, for free.
"It would be better if the bus card let you travel free to England, so I could go on bus holidays to London or Blackpool."
(Female, learning disabilities group)
6.32 Several of the participants had a companion travel card which entitled them to travel with a companion for support. One participant needed to travel with two support workers, but her card only allowed one to travel for free. She had to pay for the second and suggested that the scheme should make allowances for people who needed a second support person.
"I would like a plus, plus card so that I don't have to pay for my second companion. One trip from Motherwell to East Kilbride cost £12 one way."
(Female, learning disabilities group)
6.33 Other practical suggestions were made about the design of the card. One suggestion was to have a smaller card which could be attached to the cardholder's key-ring. It was thought this would limit the number of times this individual lost their card. The participants of the blind and visually impaired group suggested that the card should have one of the corners cut off. This would help them to distinguish the NEC from other cards in their possession, but also help to identify which way up it should be on the reader.
"The old concessionary travel cards used to have the edge cut off so that the blind person could tell which card it was."
(Male, blind and visually impaired group)
6.34 Finally, there was a suggestion that there should be a 'swipe on, swipe off' system on the buses. This was raised in two groups. The first was during an older person's group in relation to cutting down on bus companies 'fraudulently' claiming longer journeys. By swiping on and off, there could be no discrepancy over the journey taken. The second group to mention this improvement was participants in the blind and visually impaired group. They felt a swipe system would be easier for disabled people to use.
"This would define the journey and make it more difficult for drivers to say the passenger travelled for longer."
(Male, older person's group)
"I'm surprised there is just no swipe machine; that would be easier. The difficulty is that the card has to be a particular way up and I can't tell if the card is upside down or not."
(Male, blind and visually impaired group)
6.35 Both survey respondents and focus group participants were readily able to identify many benefits of having their NEC, with the most commonly identified benefits as being saving money, providing independence and getting them out of the house.
6.36 For respondents with a Disabled or Visual Impairment badge, the provision of independence was much more likely to be a key benefit. This was strongly reinforced at the focus groups where, in particular, younger participants felt that having the Card gave them the opportunity to get out and about without relying on their parents or carers for support. This was very important to them.
6.37 Whilst for older people saving money was very important, this led to further benefits in that due to the fact that they did not have to worry about money they were more likely to make journeys and get out of the house than they would otherwise have been. This led to a positive impact on both their mental and physical wellbeing. In particular it significantly reduced social isolation and led to older people getting out and interacting with others when they would not have done in the absence of the card.