Loving my free assisted travel pass

Blackavar

Hi. As a pensioner living in the West Midlands I’ve recently discovered the delights of my assisted travel card to enjoy days out using the bus, train and tram networks within the specified area. Ive been using the Moovit app which has proved invaluable to get me on the right buses and trains. It’s been a real revelation for me on how good the public transport system can be and I’ve enjoyed visits to many towns I wouldn’t normally consider - all been very interesting often with museums/art galleries.

I have 2 questions - if I want to travel by train to a destination outside my ‘free’ area, how do I pay for this taking into account my free bit? 

And - I’ve recently been made aware bus travel is free throughout England using local buses. How do I travel across the various local bus boundaries using my pass?

Also any recommended web based info/blogs about free pass travelling would be very welcome. I have a new hobby 🙂

spenderdave

You should have a blue stripe and red rose symbol on your card saying it is part of the England concessionary travel scheme. This allows you free travel on buses anywhere in England, either after 9.30am or earlier if your local council offers it. You just show the card to the driver or scan it on the machine (in London the machines don't recognise the out of London cards) No problem travelling across boundaries.

Use of them on trains is not part of the national scheme but is funded separately by your local council. To use it on trains outside your area you would need a normal ticket from the scheme boundary which may not be practical if your train doesn't stop there.

Neil49

If you are ever down in the South West you could try the X53 service which runs between Poole and Exeter via Weymouth, Lyme Regis and other coastal towns.

Takes about 5 hours if you just stay on the bus but many travellers take an overnight bag and make a holiday out of the journey.

https://jurassiccoast.org/visit/travel-information/jurassic-coast-bus-services/

jbuchanangb

Use of them on trains is not part of the national scheme but is funded separately by your local council. To use it on trains outside your area you would need a normal ticket from the scheme boundary which may not be practical if your train doesn't stop there.

You will need to buy a ticket to your destination from the last of the stations which is inside the validity of your area pass. For example, on Merseyside, Merseytravel pass holders heading from Southport to Wigan buy a ticket from Meols Cop. Something similar applies for TfGM pass holders travelling from Wigan to Southport. Ticket from the last station in Greater Manchester.
Your train does NOT have to stop at the "boundary" station. The ticket offices near to such boundaries are quite accustomed to selling these sorts of tickets.