Plans to extend bus pass scheme

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Members of the armed forces injured in the line of duty could be entitled to a free bus pass under plans to extend the scheme in Wales.

Some disabled service personnel are already eligible for free journeys under current rules.

But the Welsh Assembly Government said it would discuss extending the scheme with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and other governments in the UK.

The Royal British Legion said it supported the plans.

But it is unclear how many people will benefit and what type of injury will qualify for a free bus pass.

Under current rules in Wales, people who are blind or partially sighted, profoundly or severely deaf, have a disability or have suffered an injury are already entitled to free bus travel.

'Armed forces'

A Welsh Assembly Government spokesman said: "We expect that many disabled armed forces personnel are already eligible under the current rules but the changes under consideration would extend the number of military personnel who are entitled to a free bus pass.

"We hope to be in a position to complete this change by April 2011."

He added: "It is too early to estimate how many people this might affect at this stage.

"We have yet to begin discussions with the Ministry of Defence and are currently considering the details of the new Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and how we can extend entitlement to a concessionary bus pass to recipients of this new benefit."

The Royal British Legion said it supported the assembly government's plans.

A spokeswoman said: "The Royal British Legion is supportive of the Welsh Assembly Government plans to start discussions on this matter, but it is not anything new as it was a commitment under the command paper issued in July, 2008."

UK Veterans' Minister Kevan Jones welcomed the plans in Wales.

He added: "This is one of the many recommendations, made in the service personnel command paper last year, which are being implemented by the MoD, other government departments and devolved administrations, to help improve the lives of service personnel, their families and veterans."