Autism is a lifelong developmental condition which impacts on communication, social functioning, and day to day coping skills. People with autism can also experience sensory integration difficulties and anxiety which can affect their ability to make decisions in high-pressure situations, such as moving traffic. This could cause them to be too cautious or too reckless if they were to panic whilst in charge of a vehicle.

People with autism can also experience Executive Functioning difficulties. This means they can find it difficult to order and sequence tasks, and prioritise what actions to take when multiple tasks and actions are required. In an activity such as driving, executive functioning is very important. One must be able to remember what to do, and to take the correct action depending on the situation.

Transport for Greater Manchester provides a Concessionary Pass for those with disabilities that would prevent them from obtaining a driving licence. This includes autism. Previously, applications for those with autism came under the category of "Would be refused a driving licence on the grounds of: severe enduring mental health; epilepsy, or giddiness and fainting; sight problems; other." Successful applicants would receive the Concessionary Plus card, entitling them to free travel on buses and Metros during both on and off peak times. Recently, however, the application forms have been changed and there is now a specific form for those with autism. Successful applicants using this form will now only receive the standard concessionary pass, which does not allow free travel during peak times (before 9.30am and after 11.00pm).

This petition calls for the reinstatement of the Concessionary Plus pass for those applying with autism. It would have been clear from the accompanying evidence submitted with the previous form that those applying were doing so specifically on the grounds of issues caused by autism. Those issues are no different now that they are applying with a form specifically for autism. We should be just as eligible for the Concessionary Plus pass having applied with this autism form as we were applying with the previous form.

This petition will be forwarded to Andy Burnham, as the Chair of the Bee Network Committee.