Bus pass prob, can you help me please?

LouiseTopp

I hope this is the right forum for this question. I have a worry at the moment about my bus pass, and would like some advice.

I am disabled with curvature of the spine and I am on the lower rate of mobility. My free bus pass runs out next year, I use it three times a week as I do voluntary work at the spiritualist church in Bournemouth. I live in Salisbury and there is no work suited to me or voluntary positions available where I live. I also see my counselor once a month in Bournemouth (as I have bad depression) because again no one could be found in Salisbury.

I am very independent and rely on my bus pass to get out and about. If this is taken from me, then I would have to give up many things including my councillor and friends that I have made. I do not want to return to the isolation which I thought I had left behind, monthly bus passes are very expensive in Wiltshire. It would be a case of doing food shopping or loosing my independence and being left on my own again with no one to talk to. Going there is the highlight of my life, because I know if I have a problem, someone will listen to me. I think I would rather starve then go back to that life again of nothing to look forward to.

Can you please advise me what I should do please? I am worried sick I will be plunged back into a dark depression again. The spiritualist church have done a lot for me to get me where I am, and I don't want to say goodbye because I cannot afford to get to see them or my councillor who has been great.

Thanks.

System

I think as they are usually given out via local councils, it would just be a case of renewing your pass before it runs out. The council website should have a section on diasbled travel passes and how/where/when to renew.

kloana

Runs out as in you'd no longer be eligible(?), or just expires for its current period? If it's just an expiry, do as Messed Up suggests.

As a side note, it's not uncommon for organisations to pay all (or part) of their volunteers' reasonable travel expenses - worst case scenario, could you look at that option?

LouiseTopp

Hi it runs out in March 2014, what's the best way of renewing it please?

System

I have been told that my local council will no longer be issuing new cards when they are due, as they will be coming from County Council. I asked if I have to make the first move (so to speak) and was told "no", you are on the system and your card will be renewed automatically when it is due for renewal. My guess is that yours will be similar.

LouiseTopp

islandman wrote: »

I have been told that my local council will no longer be issuing new cards when they are due, as they will be coming from County Council. I asked if I have to make the first move (so to speak) and was told "no", you are on the system and your card will be renewed automatically when it is due for renewal. My guess is that yours will be similar.

So they will send one out to me?

My friends has been stopped, she lives in North Wiltshire and first they told her they had lost the form, then when her carer went into the office she was told because she was on lower rate, she wasn't entitled to it because she was on a lower rate!

But she doesn't have a physical disability like I have.

nannytone_2

my bus pass is ssued byt the county council, but i still had to apply for it locally ( just reminded me, that i havent received my new one yet, so will go and ask about it tomorrow)

i wouldnt think that they will just send a new one, without receiving proof of entitlement.
i still had to show my registration card before they would 'order' my new pass

LouiseTopp

nannytone wrote: »

my bus pass is ssued byt the county council, but i still had to apply for it locally ( just reminded me, that i havent received my new one yet, so will go and ask about it tomorrow)

i wouldnt think that they will just send a new one, without receiving proof of entitlement.
i still had to show my registration card before they would 'order' my new pass

So what should I do? Would I have to fill in the form again or would they send me me one automatically? Sorry I am a bit confused. :undecided

I can provide proof which I did last time.

nannytone_2

my council started reissuing bus passess in october of last year ( i forgot all about it until the end of february)
i jus went into my local council office and asked what i needed to do.
all they needed was my proof of entitlement. they already had all my details. invluding photograph, on the computer.
they looked at my proof and told me a new pass would be sent in the post

Bryando

Here in Scotland if our bus pass is due to expire we are sent an application asking for evidence ie DLA award or a mental health certificate.

We in Scotland enjoy full travel within Scotland, not limited like England. So I am lead to believe.

LouiseTopp

If I ask for a form I could renew it that way could I? Sorry to ask so many questions?