THE Devonwide Partnership is forging ahead with plans to bring in free bus travel for the first time for residents over 60 and disabled people in April. The partnership ? made up of West Devon Borough Council, Mid Devon, Torridge, Teignbridge, South Hams and North Devon District Councils, Exeter City Council and Torbay Council ? has coordinated cheaper bus fares for its older and disabled residents for the last five years. Until now, residents over 60 and disabled people in the county have received concessionary half-fare travel. Under new Government legislation, all local authorities are required to provide free public bus travel, within their own council?s boundaries, to the two eligible groups from April 1. However, the Devonwide Partnership felt that if free travel was just restricted to each of its member councils? boundaries, it would provide limited travel and would be inconvenient for its residents. After consideration, all district, city and unitary councils who are members of the partnership, have decided to extend the benefit of free travel on public bus routes beyond the statutory requirement of individual council boundaries. The new scheme means that eligible residents within the Devonwide Partnership area will be able to travel by bus all around Devon, including Torbay, Plymouth, East Devon and to certain towns in Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset free of charge. Lesley Halton, chair of the Devonwide Partnership, said: ?We are delighted to be able to offer this benefit to our eligible residents. Schemes of this nature can only be brought in with true partnership working and co-operation.? East Devon District Council has decided to step down from the partnership and will be providing its own concessionary scheme. Residents of the participating councils will be contacted directly before April 1 with their new passes.