Bus pass

Chrizcook

I just got my bus pass. Does anyone have any hints or tips for making the most of the bus pass Chris

martindow

Not really apart from being aware of the limitations.  English ones only being useable in England etc.and the time restrictions 09.30-23.00 Monday to Friday although some authorities are more generous - London for instance accepts them 24/24.

Enjoy using it!

Chrizcook

Thanks very useful I didn't realise weekends were not allowed

martindow

Chrizcook said:

Thanks very useful I didn't realise weekends were not allowed

Apologies, I see that what I wrote was misleading.  You can use it any time on a Saturday or Sunday - there are no time limits then.

Chrizcook

That's even better then. I can't wait to see what I can do with it

martindow

Some people have made epic journeys, many of these trying it out when bus passes were first introduced.  Here's a book of someone's journey.

http://www.scratchingshedpublishing.com/products-page/humour/route-63-around-england-on-a-free-bus-pass/

According to Wikipedia Clive Burgess did Lands End to John o'Groats in an incredible time

The current fastest journey by local bus (defined as in section 3 of the Transport Act 1980 to be a stage carriage service with stops within 30 miles)[86] was set by Clive Burgess in September 2016. He travelled from Lands End to John o'Groats using 31 buses, in 3 days, 8 hours and 55 minutes.[87]

You'd need to pay from the Scottish border onwards if you fancy trying for the record!

jbuchanangb

There are some surprising long trips to be made without changing bus. Near me you can go all the way from Liverpool to Preston, in 2h18m. Then you could change bus and go on to Lancaster in another 1h3m 

sparky0138

My mum just got her bus pass. This may be a stupid question but does she need to tell the driver where she wants to go or does she just scan her card, thank the driver and take a seat?

martindow

sparky0138 said:

My mum just got her bus pass. This may be a stupid question but does she need to tell the driver where she wants to go or does she just scan her card, thank the driver and take a seat?

As the pass is valid for any journey on the bus, she doesn't need to state her destination.  You just put the card on the appropriate place on the ticket machine - usually on the top but sometimes on the side.

Normally it beeps to show the card has been accepted or makes a different sound if the ticket machine has not accepted it.  I find that this happens occasionally and you just show the card to the driver who will check it has not gone past its expiry date.  You will also get this if you try to travel outside the allowed times, when the driver will expect you to pay.

jbuchanangb

You're supposed to present it to the machine face up so that the driver can verify the photo, which the machine checks the card. Some bus companies' machines issue a ticket for a concessionary pass, others don't. In London the machines do not recognise non-London bus passes, you have to show them to the driver. Also in London there are no time restrictions, whereas everywhere else in England the standard is not before 9.30am on weekdays, no restrictions on weekends. 

McKneff

In some places  time starts at 9am...
Eg North Yorkshire, Oxfordshire. 
There are others too but I live in Yorks, family live in oxfordshire