Updated bus pass with added benefit

Legacy_user

I am over 65 and have a bus pass, my wife hasn't yet reached that age but has a bus pass due to the fact that she is registered disabled.

Of late, I picked up information that suggested my wife could have a carer with her to travel free provided proof was made.

I emailed the council asking about this and gave them as much info as I felt they might need.

Today an email from the council arrived, stating that my wife has been issued with a new bus pass and on it is a capital "C". This means that anyone can escort her on local buses, irrespective of who they are and travel free. This means that in the event that I am unable to be with her, someone else can.

Something thell me this may well be a regional thing, but whatever, I'd suggest that if anyone has a bus pass by virtue of the fact they are disabled, then apply for an updated card

GlasweJen

In Scotland you automatically get a C+1 card if you are on middle/high care DLA when you apply for your card. I think blind people are also automatically upgraded too.

Indie_Kid

It's a regional thing. Never had anything like that in Plymouth when I was living there.

System

It may well be regional, but my info suggests that regions are changing policies, for the better

jazabelle

That's a great policy. You have to pay £30 a year to update ours to have a carer included. Hopefully it will become nationalised eventually.

[Deleted User]

It is and always has been a regional thing,doesnt apply in greater manchester yet

[Deleted User]

Yup it is regional. I phoned Merseytravel and got a very snotty reply saying the law did not insist on it so they aint doing it!

chickywiggle

i 'think' Sheffield do this..... am sure i overheard a conversation about it on the tram a month or so back.

luxor4t

You have to jump through so many hoops here that the carer passes are really rare.

System

Surprisingly enough, as well as the Borough Council telling me they were to update my wife's card, now the County Council have emailed telling me it will be recognising it for all County journeys.

This being so, and knowing that our county is not alone in recognising this, I can't see how some counties can stand alone and fail to recognise it.

Paparika

I'm in Bristol and they do it, although my bus pass although we requested (docotor stated i needed the help) i have a carer on the bus, i didn't get it, so the bus drivers are just going to get out of their cabs and lower the ramp if they can't do it automatically.