MyBus service : revised procedures for eligibility assessment

committee report MyBus service : revised procedures for eligibility assessment Committee : Operations Date of Meeting: 6 May 2011 Date of Report: 21...
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committee report MyBus service : revised procedures for eligibility assessment Committee : Operations Date of Meeting:

6 May 2011

Date of Report: 21 April 2011

Report by Assistant Chief Executive (Operations) 1.

Object of report To recommend the Committee approves the revisions to procedures for assessing applications for use of the MyBus service. This report affects all council areas.

2.

Background SPT’s MyBus service provides demand-responsive transport (DRT) links for the elderly and / or disabled throughout the SPT area. Use of the service is contingent upon applicants being able to satisfy eligibility criteria which were designed to recognise that certain groups are either unable to or have great difficulty in using mainstream local bus services. Eligibility for use of MyBus is automatic if any of the following applies : (a)

being in receipt of any one of Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (mobility component at the higher rate) or War Pensioners’ mobility supplement;

(b)

being registered blind;

(c)

being aged 80 or over.

It has always been recognised by SPT that, even if none of the above applies, there may still be individuals who find great difficulty in accessing standard public transport modes and, for that reason, has always facilitated applications based upon supplementary information provided by the individual concerned, which was then passed to the local health board for adjudication to determine whether, in fact, a genuine condition existed which made use of the MyBus service appropriate. The local health boards have carried out such assessments for SPT free of charge for many years. In 2010, however, the various local NHS divisions notified SPT that they intended to withdraw this facility and suggested that alternative arrangements be made.

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Having initially been informed by NHS Ayrshire & Arran of its intention to withdraw the service from April 2010, SPT contacted NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC) to determine whether it could perhaps take on the relatively low number of applications involved along with those of its own area. However, NHSGGC responded in February 2010 that, it too now intended to withdraw its own service to SPT. Discussions took place with NHSGGC in March 2010 and it was agreed that SPT should write to the former to request that the decision be revisited, given the clear shared interests of both parties in continuing to facilitate access to transport for those members of the community who might otherwise find considerable difficulty in doing so. The NHS itself has identified access to transport as a key element in enabling people to remain active and avoid long-term health problems. After prolonged discussions, the NHS eventually declined to reverse its decision to discontinue the service it had previously offered and, as an interim measure, SPT has been granting temporary MyBus memberships to those applicants affected by this problem, given the expectation that there might be a resolution which would have seen resumption of the assessment service by the NHS. Clearly, however, that was not sustainable in the long term and it was necessary to consider an alternative mechanism for assessment of applications not meeting the automatic qualifying criteria. 3.

Proposals To address the problem, SPT has now designed a form which enables applicants to provide supplementary information in support of an application for MyBus membership. The form features a range of simple questions geared to determining what mobility issues might exist for an individual which impair his or her ability to use mainstream public transport. The form also requests access to the applicant’s GP, if necessary, for the purposes of obtaining any required information. For the information of members, further details are contained in attachments to this paper and include : (a)

MyBus information / application booklet;

(b)

Standard letter for cases where the individual fails to meet the automatic criteria, but inviting supplementary information in support of the application;

(c)

Form MB1 for completion by applicants in (b);

(d)

Letter of acceptance following assessment of MB1.

Subject to the committee’s approval of this report, details of the revised arrangements will be passed to all Chief Executives of SPT’s constituent authorities for information purposes. 4.

Consequences Policy consequences:

None.

Legal consequences:

None.

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5.

Financial consequences:

None.

Personnel consequences:

None.

Social inclusion:

Facilitates accessible transport for individuals affected by mobility issues.

Risk consequences:

None.

Committee action The Committee is recommended to note and agree the revised procedures for MyBus applications.

Eric Stewart Assistant Chief Executive (Operations)

Gordon Maclennan Chief Executive

for further information please contact Alex Scott, Bus Services Manager on ext 3388

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For more information visit spt.co.uk/mybus or any SPT travel centre

Booking line telephone numbers M1 East Ayrshire M10 Dumbarton M11 Inverclyde M12 Irvine M13 South Ayrshire M14 Kilmarnock M15 East Kilbride M18 Maryhill/Bearsden M19 Wishaw/Shotts M22 Saltcoats/Ardrossan/Stevenston M32/M42 Beith/Dalry/Largs/West Kilbride M45/M65/M85 Renfrew/Houston/ Johnstone/Paisley M90 Cumbernauld M91 Glasgow South West M92 Clydebank/Scotstoun M93 Glasgow North East M94 Glasgow South East M96 Hamilton M98 Motherwell M99 Monklands

0845 128 4023 0845 125 9811 0845 125 9812 0845 125 9813 0845 125 9814 0845 125 9952 0845 125 9953 0845 125 9954 0845 125 9956 0845 125 9958 0845 125 9958 0845 125 9807 0845 125 9957 0845 125 9774 0845 125 9804 0845 125 9805 0845 125 9806 0845 125 9808 0845 125 9809 0845 125 9810

Contents

What is MyBus

2

Who qualifies to use MyBus?

3

To apply for MyBus

4

Application form

5

Data Protection Act

7

New user guide

8

1

What is MyBus? MyBus is designed to help people of all ages who have difficulty using standard buses to have access to local facilities and amenities. It can be used for: • shopping • visiting friends • attending local clubs • doctor and health centre appointments • hospital visiting. MyBus cannot be used for hospital appointments as other services are available for these purposes. Please contact your GP for assistance. If using MyBus for shopping, please bring only as much shopping as you are able to carry yourself. Remember you can always take an escort. MyBus can take you to and from your local rail station, and many are now wheelchair-accessible. First ScotRail is happy to arrange help at the station and you can do this by calling 0800 91 22 901. All MyBus vehicles are wheelchair-accessible, with low-floor ramp access at the front of the vehicle. The vehicle will pick up and drop off as close as possible to your home and destination. The driver will assist you on and off the bus. If you require additional assistance you can bring a friend if you feel their support will help.

2

Who qualifies to use MyBus? MyBus is available to people who are unable to use or have difficulty in using standard buses and who meet any of the qualifying conditions shown. Applicants must hold a valid Scottish Citizens’ National Entitlement Card. If you do not hold a card please contact Strathclyde Partnership for Transport’s Travel Card Unit on 0141 333 3211. Applicants who meet any of the conditions listed under 1 to 3 are automatically eligible to use MyBus. 1. Receipt of any one of the following Department for Work and Pensions allowances: • Attendance allowance • Disability living allowance – mobility component at the higher rate • War pensioners’ mobility supplement (current proof of qualifying benefit must be provided on application.) OR 2. Registered as blind OR 3. Over 80 years old 4. If none of the above apply but you have difficulty using standard public transport you may still qualify to use MyBus. Please fill out the application form giving full details of your medical condition. 5. Applicants with a temporary disability (such as a broken leg) may apply for temporary registration for up to four months. MyBus Rural is available to anyone travelling within its local area (with no qualifying conditions such as age or disability). Separate leaflets available. Call: 0845 128 4025

3

To apply for MyBus To apply for MyBus either complete and return the attached form or if you have difficulty completing the form, telephone our enquiry line on 0845 128 4025 and a member of our staff can complete the form for you. You will still require to provide any documentation required and a passport size photo clearly showing your face. Please note this can be a regular photograph cut to size. Please do not hesitate to call our enquiry line for further assistance. Completed application forms should be returned to: Strathclyde Partnership for Transport MyBus Consort House 12 West George Street Glasgow G2 1HN Please keep this booklet after sending your application form as it contains valuable information.

4

Application form Title/Surname Please remember to enclose a current photograph

Forenames Date of birth

/

/

Address Town Post Code Tel no e-mail Mobile no 1. Do you have a concessionary travel card?

Yes

No

If yes, what is the travel card number? What category is it?

Disabled

Blind

Elderly

Is this a companion card? 2. Do you receive any of these Department of Work and Pensions allowances? (a) Attendance allowance

Yes

No

(b)Disability living allowance mobility component (higher rate)

Yes

No

(c) War pensioners’ mobility supplement

Yes

No

Are you in receipt of any of these allowances? If yes, please provide current proof of this when completing your application.

5

2b. Are you registered blind?

Yes

No

Blind registration number 3.

Are you 80 years old or over?

Yes

No

4.

Do you have profound hearing difficulties

Yes

No

5.

Do you use a wheelchair?

Yes

No

6.

Do you have a guide dog?

Yes

No

7.

Do you have a walking stick or a walking frame?

Yes

No

8.

Do you need to take an escort?

Yes

No

What is the medical condition that prevents you using, or makes it very difficult for you to use public transport? Doctor’s name Doctor’s Details Tel no: Please read the following information carefully before signing: I declare that I am unable to use or have great difficulty using public transport. The answers that I have given are a true statement of my circumstances and I consent to further information being sought from my doctor or hospital consultant or to undergo a medical examination should this be considered necessary. I consent to the processing by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport of my personal data (including sensitive personal data) shown in, and for the purposes outlined in, the information notice contained within this leaflet. Applicant’s signature

Date

/ Checklist Have you completed all sections of the application form? Enclosed proof of allowances? (if applicable) Enclosed a photograph? 6

/ Tick

Data Protection Act 1998 Under the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998 (“the Act”), Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, as data controller, is required to provide you, the data subject, with notice of the kind of data that we will be/are processing about you, the purposes for which we will be/are processing your data, the source of the data that we process and third parties to whom we may transfer your data. We process the following personal data: • personal details such as name, address and date of birth • details relating to health • employment details. We process the above data for the following purposes: • to administer the MyBus scheme • to make decisions relating to eligibility under the scheme • to develop improvements to the scheme • to develop new schemes • to monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of the scheme • market research and analysis • training and testing purposes. In carrying out the above purposes we may transfer personal data relating to you to the following third parties: • unitary authorities • medical practitioners • social work departments. You will be the principal source of any data that we process. We may, however, also receive information from relevant health professionals. In order to process your application/renewal/replacement for a MyBus card it may be necessary for us to process your sensitive personal data, in particular data relating to your health. We require your explicit consent to process such data. Accordingly, you should be aware that by signing the application form you are providing your explicit consent for us to process your sensitive personal data for the purposes outlined above. As data subject, you have a number of rights under the Act in relation to the data which we process about you. One of these rights is a subject access right. In effect this means that you have the right to have a copy of the data which we process about you which is held in our computer records and also some data which is held in our manual records. If you want to exercise your right of subject access, or if you have any other data protection queries relating to MyBus please contact the Data Protection Officer.

7

New Users Guide Making a booking •

Your booking line number can be found on the front of your timetable leaflet or on the inside cover of this leaflet.



Call your booking office number the day before you want to travel except for travel on a Sunday or Monday. For travel on a Monday call on a Friday. For travel on a Sunday call on a Thursday.



We will attempt to give you journey times as close to the times you request. Please remember that the journey times we give you are approximate. In order to accommodate as many trips as we can we may move your pick up time slightly. If your time is moved by more than 10 minutes earlier or later, we will advise you before the booking lines close.



Sometimes, due to high demand, you may find the line is engaged when you dial. Should you get the engaged tone, please hang up and re-dial.

Advance bookings Please call your booking line after 2pm to arrange your advance bookings. As well as bookings made in the usual way, MyBus customers may book up to 4 round trips per calendar month up to 28 days in advance. This may be useful for those important trips. Group bookings If there are more than three people regularly travelling to the same place at a set time, we will be happy to arrange a group booking, subject to availability. This allows one person from the group to make the booking for everyone in the party.

8

Making your trip To minimise waiting time for all passengers, please be ready a few minutes before your pick-up time, ready to board your bus. The driver will give any assistance you may require to board the vehicle from the pavement and when you leave, from the bus back to the pavement. However, the driver is unable to provide assistance from inside your home to the bus. Please call you booking line after 2pm to arrange your advance bookings. When travelling please remember to bring along your MyBus membership card and your Scottish Citizens’ National Entitlement Card. Should you lose your MyBus card, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange a replacement card for you. Public holiday operation MyBus does not operate on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. On other public holidays we will advise you of any changes by placing posters on vehicles and leaving newsletters on the vehicle for you to collect. You can also call our recorded information line, 0845 128 4026. Fares The fares per single journey: Scottish Citizens’ National Entitlement Card Holders travel free. Escorts travelling with Companion Card Holders also travel free. Fares for all other escorts and children aged 5 to 15 will be confirmed at the time of travel.

0845 128 4025 9

MyBus enquiry line Tel: 0845 128 4025 spt.co.uk/mybus June 2010