126.Section 151 makes separate provision, to similar effect, for Greater London, by modifying the provisions in the Greater London Authority Act 1999 which define when the reserve free travel scheme will be triggered. If a half-fare concession is not made available to eligible elderly and disabled persons on journeys on the London bus network (as defined in section 181(3) of that Act) beginning at specified times, who hold an appropriate travel permit (which must be issued free of charge), the reserve scheme will come into effect. The Secretary of State has power to improve the concession to better than half the fare (section 151(12)).
127.The categories of persons eligible to receive travel concessions over and above the mandatory half-fare concession are extended to elderly and disabled persons defined in section 240(5) of the 1999 Act as amended by section 151(4). Apart from the imposition of the mandatory concession, however, nothing in the Transport Act requires any change to be made to the present voluntary free scheme agreed between the Boroughs and London Transport or to any future free scheme agreed by virtue of the 1999 Act.
Commentary on Sections Part II: Local Transport Section 151: Mandatory Travel Concessions in Greater London