FRAUD * UK - Missing millions of free bus scheme
Transport Scotland has called in police to pursue rogue bus operators who have attempted to defraud millions of pounds through the government's concessionary travel scheme
Scotland,UK -The Herald, by DAMIEN HENDERSON -July 13 2009: -- ... The government agency has appealed for public help to identify suspect practices by bus operators and overhauled its procedures after evidence emerged of abuse under the flagship policy, which offered nationwide free bus travel to elderly and disabled passengers following its introduction in 2006... Bus operators have welcomed the initiative, warning that widespread abuse of the scheme could pile further pressure on an already overstretched budget and ultimately threaten its survival... Documents seen by The Herald show that the Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson, was briefed in December 2007 that it was pursuing claims from four bus companies worth £2.2m that it believed to be suspect, warning that this could escalate to £3.3m in 2007/8 if not addressed... A spokeswoman for Transport Scotland said that suspect claims would not be paid until properly verified and that funding would be reduced from the following year's budget if paid in advance... The action was welcomed by the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK, which represents bus and coach organisations... (Picture from farm3.static.flickr: 27-2-08 - Scottish Citylink Bova Futura, bound for Stirling from Edinburgh)Labels: frauds
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