National Concessionary Scheme - free bus travel

cw18

Shelle wrote: »

Well I have a pass, but I hadnt known about the carers pass!! You are right though, not very easy to find out about. Searching for it, I can find it with several councils, but looking on my own councils website - zilch!!!

My DH has a free pass (only found out about them when I saw a poster at a bus stop on my way home from work!), but I'm in the same boat as you when it comes to getting one as a carer. I plan to try and find a number for the local office we got DH's pass from, and ask them about it directly -- have a feeling it's the only way I'm going to find an answer as to whether they're available around here or not

I don't know how much use I'd get out of it (he goes out with different friends mostly -- and no one friend more than others, but I think they all have the over 60s passes anyway), but it would be nice to have "just in case" (especially as I'm about to be made redundant, and my budget no longer allows for any bus fares for me for anything!)

oystercatcher

colin13 wrote: »

just a question I have a bus pass which entitles me to scotland wide free bus travel as we all know,,, I am going to blackpool for weeks holiday can I use my bus pass there,,some 1 i know said some bus driver in blackpool accepted it and others didnt

Wasn't there someone in the news who went from Land's End to John O'Groats on his free bus pass ? This would imply that it covers both England and Scotland. Oystercatcher

cw18

Our local travel planning site says

National travel pass
The Concessionary Bus Travel Act states that disabled people in England who are eligible will get free off-peak travel on all local buses anywhere in England from April 2008.


This implies to me that a pass issued in England can only be used in England, so I would assume one issued in Scotland is only valid north of the border

zzzLazyDaisy

oystercatcher wrote: »

Wasn't there someone in the news who went from Land's End to John O'Groats on his free bus pass ? This would imply that it covers both England and Scotland. Oystercatcher

AFAIK That person was travelling on an English pass, but got a special concession to use it in Scotland, for the purpose of the trip.

Normally English passes are not accepted in Scotland (I know that coz I couldn't use mine earlier this year when I visted Scotland) so I'd guess that Scottish passes aren't valid in England - but that doesn't mean anything if the bus driver doesn't know that!!

telboy71

hello

i have just been diagnosed with obstructive sleep anepia which tells me if i drive i am not allowed to at the momment as im a danger to the public in case i fall asleep at the wheel so would this entitle me to a free pass or not

telboy71

Unity

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Hi, In my area you go to the town hall. Check this site out, it might tell you where the provider is in your area.

• List of England's concessionary pass providers Opens new window

It is also worth enquiring if you qualify for a carer's pass. This depends on your OH's disability and how it affects him, but basically, if he needs someone with him in order to get out and about on the buses, you should apply for a carer's pass too.

The carer's pass isn't well publicised, and the qualification criteria varies from one area to another - need proof that the disabled person is in receipt of HRM/HRC DLA, others need a letter from your GP.

I've had a disabled person's bus pass since 1979, but never knew about this carer's pass - thanks so much for mentioning it.

This board is already proving to be a big hit and full of lovely helpful people, so thanks to all those involved :T:T:T.

zzzLazyDaisy

Hi Telboy, One of the qualifying criteria is if you have had your driving licence revoked by DVLA on medical grounds, or you would be likely to be refused a driving licence on medical grounds. So it sounds like you should qualify.

hth

Daisy

McKneff

asfik you just go to your local council offices, they take your picture and issue your pass straightway. At least it does in the Northalleron area

ShockingPink

oystercatcher wrote: »

Wasn't there someone in the news who went from Land's End to John O'Groats on his free bus pass ? This would imply that it covers both England and Scotland. Oystercatcher

2 women decided to journey from from Berwick-on-Tweed to Lands End, using only local buses: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7322721.stm I don't know whether they're there yet!

luxor4t

Thank you for this reminder!

I wondered if Wales would be any different, but this seems standard:
http://www.swansea.gov.uk/media/pdf/r/2/DEA-Concessionary-pass_1.pdf

Something to do tomorrow!