A veteran who became visually impaired after a stroke has asked that The Scottish Government makes its pilot free companion rail travel scheme permanent. He said that the scheme which allows people with a NEC eye+1 card to take someone with them for free makes rail travel much more affordable, reduces isolation and gives him more confidence.

Jim Cantley, 76, who became visually impaired due to a stroke, was a lance corporal in the Army. He stressed that the companion scheme makes travel much safer as well as just the reassurance of having someone travel with him. He said: “This pilot scheme is absolutely fantastic. I have used it so much since it launched. I have travelled to Carlisle, Glasgow, Dundee, Berwick and other places. It has made travelling not only safer and more affordable, bu

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