Public Sector Roundup: Smartcards for seniors

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Smartcards used to extend senior travel

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced new smartcards to give older and disabled people free bus travel across England beginning in April 2008.

The passes use ITSO standards, which were developed by the government, and are part of the rollout for smart ticketing across the country. The cards are expected to help cut fraud and help local authorities and bus operators track travel to see which operator or council is owed for each trip.

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said: "By introducing smartcard technology from the outset we are paving the way for full smart ticketing across the country. This would speed up boarding, cut fraud and open up the possibility of using the same pass to access a range of other local services such as libraries and leisure facilities."

Neil Scales, director general of Merseytravel and The Passenger Transport Executive Group spokesman, said: "We look forward to working with the DfT and with bus operators to realise the full potential of the national concessionary smartcard-as a precursor to much wider application of public transport smartcards in

the years to come."

Wakefield gets telehealthcare

Wakefield Council has rolled out telecare technology - including bed sensors, mothion detectors and other communications tools - to help vulnerable people stay safe.

Cllr Maureen Cummings, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: "We want to do all we can to support vulnerable and older people by giving them more opportunities to be independence in their own homes."

The system is supported by the Lifeline Unit connects to a basic phone socket and alerts operators in call centres of any trouble, twenty four hours a day.

Scotland uses text alerts to fight foot-and-mouth

The Scottish Government has announced a text alert service to keep people up-to-date on foot-and-mouth outbreaks and movement restrictions.

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said: "The new text message service should be particularly useful to busy farmers often out in fields and all the other groups in the livestock industry whose work means they are out and about. "This way, they can get an early heads-up on changes will direct affect them and they can plan accordingly. I hope many folk will use it."

There is no charge to receive the texts. To register, text FMD to 07781 482146.

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