Concessionary Bus Passes Scheme

From 1st April 2008 a new national bus pass scheme was introduced to allow free travel for pass holders on any registered local bus service in England.  This does not extend to Scotland or Wales which have their own schemes.  

New smartcard -type passes of a national design have been issued so that all bus drivers will recognise a valid pass.  A smartcard carries an electronic chip that will enable the Council and the Operators to administer the scheme more efficiently. They are swiped through a card reader where one is fitted on a bus, or shown to the driver if there is no card reader fitted.

When can I use my concessionary bus pass?

• The Pass is free of charge
• It allows the holder to travel free of charge on local registered bus services anywhere in England.
• It can be used on all single and return journeys at any time starting in Worcestershire  
• It can be used off peak only (9.30a.m. to 11.00p.m. Monday to Friday and all day weekends and bank holidays) on journeys starting outside Worcestershire.
• There is a  £1 concessionary fare for Redditch Dial a Ride for pass holders.

Who is entitled to a Bus Pass?

You are entitled to a Bus Pass if you are normally resident in the Borough of Redditch and meet one (or more) of the following requirements:

• You are aged 60 or over;  (applications will be accepted up to 4 weeks prior to your 60th birthday)
• You are blind or partially sighted. (Proof of registration with Social Services or medical evidence will be required to support the application.)
• You are profoundly or severely deaf. (Proof of registration with Social Services or medical evidence will be required to support the application.)
• You are without speech. (Medical evidence will be required to support the application.)
• You have a disability or injury which seriously impairs the ability to walk (Proof of receipt of Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement or medical evidence will be required to support the application)
• You do not have the use of both arms. (This includes the absence of both arms and inability to use the arms to carry out day-to-day tasks. Medical evidence will be required to support the application.)
• You have a learning disability. (Proof of registration with Social Services or medical evidence will be required to support the application.)
• You have had your driving licence refused or revoked (or it would be refused if you applied) on medical or physical fitness grounds. Where you have had a licence refused or revoked, the letter of refusal/revocation or other proof will be required

Companion

If you are unable to travel without the assistance of a companion you can also apply to have a companion entitlement added to your pass. Medical evidence will be required to support the application.

The companion entitlement allows an adult companion of a pass holder to travel free of charge on journeys starting in Worcestershire.  This is a local enhancement to the scheme and is not available on journey starting outside Worcestershire.

What should I do to get a pass?

• you can apply in person at any of the Council's One Stop Shops at the Town Hall, Batchley, Winyates, or Woodrow.
• You can request an application form by telephoning the Contact Centre on 01527 534123
• You can apply by post using the application form attached below.  The completed form and necessary proof of eligibility should be sent to:

One Stop Shop, Town Hall , Walter Stranz Square,  Redditch, Worcestershire  B98 8AH    Telephone (01527) 534123

Photograph

You will need to provide a passport-size photograph for use on your pass.  This should preferably have a white background and show you full-face, without a hat.

Proof of eligibility:

When applying for a pass you must provide:

• some proof of age or disability, for example: pension award letter, driving licence, pink card, Disability Living Allowance book or some other proof of disability.  
• proof of residence within the Borough, for example a recent utility bill or Council Tax bill.

Bus Pass Conditions of Use

The pass is the property of the Council and must be shown to the driver on each occasion the concession is used or as otherwise required.

Full fare is payable if the pass is not shown

The permit must be surrendered to the Council if no longer required or if the holder ceases to be eligible

It is an offence for anyone other than the authorised holder to use the permit.

Other Information

Your concessionary pass is only valid for use on registered local buses in England.  

If travelling by train

a Senior Citizens Railcard is available for people over 60 years of age giving discounts on a wide range of fares. Other Railcards are available for disabled person, students and families. Please check at local stations or online at www.nationalrail.co.uk for further details.

National Express apply a fare reduction for Over 60's for their coach travel.

Further information can be found at www.nationalexpress.com or by phoning 08705 80 80 80

Children under the age of 5 travel free by bus and train (3 years on a coach) when accompanied by an adult. Generally all other children travel at a reduced rate.  Please check with the operator.

Related DocumentsRelated Documents

Bus Pass Application Form  (248.09 KB)

concessionary_bus_pass_leaflet.pdf  (341.51 KB)

Page Information:
Last modification: 12:21:15, 08th July, 2008 by Procurement Service
Review date: 26th November, 2008