Free bus travel for older and disabled people

The England National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free bus travel for older people and eligible disabled people.

In Warwickshire the scheme currently allows free travel from 9am on Monday to Friday, and all day at the weekend and Bank Holidays.

1. Introduction

1.1 What is concessionary travel?

Concessionary travel is a national scheme that enables qualifying individuals to travel free on off-peak local buses throughout England. Eligibility is determined either by age or a qualifying disability.

In Warwickshire, until 31 March 2013, this has been extended to allow travel from 9am on weekdays for journeys starting within the County.

To qualify, you must be a permanent resident of Warwickshire. You must also either be of an eligible age or have a qualifying disability.

For full details of the national scheme visit Directgov - Free bus travel and concessions. Currently the national scheme allows travel from 9.30am Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on bank holidays.

Further detail and policy for the Warwickshire scheme is available on the corporate website.

1.2 Residency criteria

You must be a permanent resident of Warwickshire and your Warwickshire home must be your only or main home. You will need to provide one item of proof of address from:

Utility bill - less than three months old
Bank statement - less than three months old
Council tax bill - current tax year
Driving licence - a photocard driving licence can be used as evidence of both age and residence. Otherwise you will need to provide two separate pieces of evidence.

If you live outside Warwickshire, you will need to apply to your local authority.

If your Warwickshire home is a second home, and your main home is elsewhere (whether in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or overseas), then you will not be eligible for a Warwickshire bus pass.

1.3 Eligible age

In April 2010, the age of eligibility for concessionary travel for women became their pension age. For men it changed to the pensionable age of a woman born on the same day.

The state pension age for a woman is rising by five years over a period of ten years. The earliest age for men and women to get bus passes will increase gradually from 60 in April 2010 to 65 in April 2020. The Government decided that this would be the fairest method, rather than introduce a one-off rise which would leave those currently close to retirement age facing a full five-year delay.

Anyone born on or before 5 March 1951 is eligible for a pass now.

If you were born after 5 March 1951, check the age at which you become eligible by using the State Pension Age Calculator. The calculator will tell you the date you are eligible for your state pension as well as telling you when you will become eligible for a concessionary travel pass. Alternatively, download the:state pension age eligibility dates table for those born up to April 1953 (pdf, 37Kb)

In Warwickshire, we will accept applications up to one month before you become eligible.

If you qualify for an 'age related' pass, we will need to see one of the following documents which shows your date of birth.

Driving licence - a photocard driving licence can be used as evidence of both age and residency. Otherwise you will need to provide two separate pieces of evidence.
Passport
Birth certificate
NHS medical card

1.4 Qualifying disabilities

There are seven categories of disability which mean someone is eligible for a pass. These are listed as a. - g. below.

In Warwickshire, anyone who holds a Blue Badge (Disabled Parking Badge) is considered eligible. If you use your Blue Badge as evidence, your pass will expire around the same time as your Blue Badge.

Children over the age of 5 may be eligible, provided they have a qualifying disability.

	Criteria
DPB	Blue Badge (Disabled Parking Badge) holder The following are accepted as automatic proof of entitlement: Blue Badge Confirmation letter accompanying issue of Blue Badge
a.	Be blind or partially sighted - able to register as severely sight impaired or sight impaired Information sheet - eligibility under category a - blind or partially sighted (pdf, 51Kb) The following are accepted as automatic proof of entitlement: CVI (Certificate of Visual Impairment) or BD8 Form Proof of registration AFCS Reasons for Decision letter
b.	Be profoundly or severely deaf - hearing level at 70dBHL or worse Information sheet - eligibility under category b - profoundly or severely deaf (pdf, 51Kb) The following are accepted as automatic proof of entitlement: Proof of registration AFCS Reasons for Decision letter
c.	Be without speech. Information sheet - eligibility under category c - without speech (pdf 51Kb)
d.	Has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on ability to walk Information sheet - eligibility under category d - ability to walk (pdf, 52Kb) The following are accepted as automatic proof of entitlement: Proof of Higher Rate Mobility Component of DLA (for a minimum of 12 months) Proof of receiving War Pensioners Mobility Supplement AFCS Reasons for Decision letter
e.	Do not have arms or have long term loss of the use of both arms Information sheet - eligibility under category e - unable to use both arms (pdf, 51 Kb) The following is accepted as automatic proof of entitlement: AFCS Reasons for Decision letter
f.	Have a learning disability Information sheet - eligibility under catefory f - learning disability (pdf, 56Kb) The following are accepted as automatic proof of entitlement: Proof of registration with a recognised organisatio;n Letter from practitioner or head of special school.
g.	Would be refused a driving licence on medical grounds (otherwise than misuse of drugs or alcohol). Information sheet - eligibility under category g - refusal of driving licence (pdf, 57Kb) The following is accepted as automatic proof of entitlement: Confirmation from DVLA that your driving licence has been revoked on medical grounds.

1.5. Providing evidence of your disability

You must show that you are eligible Please read the information sheet for the relevant category for more information.

We do not liaise directly with GPs. You should be aware that a GP is not required by the NHS to provide letters in support of Concessionary Travel applications but they may choose to do so privately. The cost of any such lettters would be payable by you.

Letters of support (such as those which state that you deserve a bus pass, or that having one will improve your quality of life) will not assist in proving you are eligible. There are fixed criteria which you must meet to qualify, and a bus pass cannot be issued unless we have evidence that you do meet those criteria.

1.6 Veterans and service personnel

Veterans and service personnel in receipt of an award under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) may be able to use their Reasons for Decision letter to demonstrate a qualifying disability.

Those who wish to apply but do not wish to show their Reasons for Decision letter may choose to provide alternative evidence to demonstrate that a qualifying disability.

1.7 Companion passes (+1)

Companion passes (also known as '+1' passes) are not issued in Warwickshire. There are a limited number of these passes which were issued by Warwick District Council and are valid until 2013. These will be honoured until their expiry date.

2. Application process

2.1 Apply for a pass

In Person

You can apply in person by visiting your nearest Warwickshire Direct One Stop Shop*. You will also need to bring the necessary evidence to support the application. . Please bring original documents if you are applying in person.

You do not need to complete a form, nor do you need to bring a photograph if you are applying in person.The application will be completed during your visit by the customer service advisors. A photograph will be taken of you whilst you are there.

There is no charge for the first issue of a concessionary travel pass.

*Please note that the Warwickshire Direct One Stop Shop at Alcester is unable to offer the Concessionary Travel service at present.

By post

If you are unable to apply in person, you can apply by post by completing the application form and sending photocopies of the relevant evidence. . We will also require a recent passport style photograph.

Please do not send originals by post as we do not accept responsibility for the safe return of any original documents.

Concessionary travel - new pass application form (pdf, 155Kb)

You can call 01926 418026 or email concessionarytravel@warwickshire.gov.ukand we will arrange to send an application to you in the post.

Once completed the application should be returned to:
Warwickshire County Council
Concessionary travel applications
Customer Service Centre
PO Box 9
Shire Hall
Warwick
CV34 4RR

There is no charge for the first issue of a concessionary travel pass.

2.2 Help with your application

Please call 01926 418026, and an advisor will assist you.

Alternatively you can email us on concessionarytravel@warwickshire.gov.uk

2.3 How we handle your application

Your information will be recorded in our database, and the advisor who enters the data will decide whether you are eligible, based on the evidence you have provided.

If the advisor is not sure whether you are eligible, they may send the evidence to the Concessionary Travel Manager for a decision.

If you are eligible then a computerised request is sent to the company which produces the bus passes for us. The pass will be posted directly to the address you have supplied on the application. This will normally be within two weeks (10 working days).

2.4 My application has been rejected

'Age related' Passes– you can re-apply up to one month prior to reaching the eligible age.
'Eligible Disabled' Passes - If you do not qualify under this category and are a Warwickshire resident, we will either tell you at the time of your application or we will advise you in writing within 10 days. If you consider this to be the wrong decision there is an appeals process.

Download the Appeal form - refusal to issue a pass (pdf, 29Kb) or contact the Concessionary Travel Manager on 01926 412779 or email concessionarytravel@warwickshire.gov.uk if you require further information on appeals.

2.5 Expiry Dates

When you receive your pass, the expiry date will be printed on the front. A pass is normally be valid for 3,4 or 5 years from the point of issue. If however, the pass has been issued on 'temporary medical grounds' or using the 'blue badge' as evidence, it will be issued to you in line with the evidence or the expiry date of the blue badge..

The passes which are now being issued will generally last for 5 years from the date of issue i.e. a pass issued in 2011 will last until 2016. This pass entitles a passholder to travel under the national terms and conditions of the England National Concessionary Travel Scheme until that date. This is the date printed on your pass.

In addition to entitlement under the National Scheme, residents of Warwickshire may be entitled to additional discretionary travel under Warwickshire's terms and conditions. Currently this means that passholders can travel from 9am on weekday journeys starting in Warwickshire, in addition to the national entitlement. This additional half hour of travel has been agreed until 31 March 2013.

So whilst the travel pass is valid until the date printed on the pass, the entitlement to start travelling from 9am is only valid until 2013.

Replacement passes will normally have the same expiry date as the original pass.

3. Pass usage

3.1 Using your pass

Please carry your pass with you and present it to the driver. If you are unable to present a valid pass, you will not be able to travel free and you will be expected to pay the full fare for your journey.

The pass can be used anywhere in England on local bus services.

It cannot be used

in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or the Channel Islands)
on long distance bus or coach services (unless local arrangements exist)
on tourist buses
on rail services (including the London Underground)

The pass is for your own personal use, it cannot be used by any other person. If the pass is fraudulently used, it will be withdrawn and the holder may be prosecuted.

3.2 New passes and smartcards

All the new passes are smartcards. They are the size of a credit card, made of plastic containing a microchip and antenna which can store information electronically. Some buses will have 'smartcard readers' and instead of having to show the driver your pass, you simply swipe your pass through or across the reader. On older buses you will need show the driver your pass.

3.3 Time restrictions

The Department for Transport has set time restrictions nationally for England so that the scheme can be realistically funded and to manage additional capacity on services in some areas.

Your pass can be used anywhere in England from 9:30am - 11:00pm on weekdays and any time at weekends and on Bank Holidays

In addition, for Warwickshire residents getting onto a bus within Warwickshire (even if your destination is outside Warwickshire) the pass can be used from 9:00am in the morning and until the end of service (if later than 11pm) on weekdays.

3.4 Tickets issued on the buses - wrong destination

You may be issued a tiicket which has the wrong destination printed on it. This does not mean that the bus operators will be paid too much.

The bus operators get paid according to a complicated formula which uses a number of factors, including the number of concessionary journeys made and the average ticket price for a fare-paying passenger. The actual length of your journey is not part of those calculations.

3.5 Terms and conditions of use

You can download a copy of out Terms and Conditions from ourconcessionary travel policy page .

4. Replacing or renewing your pass

4.1 Lost, damaged or stolen passes

In your pass is lost or stolen please notify us as soon as possible by calling 01926 418026, or visiting a Warwickshire Direct One Stop Shop* You will be able to order your replacement pass straight away, although we may need you to provide an up to date photograph.

There is a charge for replacing lost or damaged passes.

In some cases, we may not have a copy of your photograph and so may not be able to reissue a pass straight away. If you come into one of the One Stop Shop* then a new photograph can be taken while you wait, or alternatively you can post us a passport style photo.

You will normally receive a replacement pass within two weeks (10 working days).

Reason	Cost
Lost pass	£10	Even if your pass is then found, this amount is non-refundable.
Damaged pass	£10	E.g. defaced, cracked or broken. This is non-refundable.
Stolen pass	free	There is no cost for a replacement pass if you provide a valid crime reference number. Otherwise the charge is £10.
Faulty pass	free	Passes which are faulty when issued, or which have a recognisable fault, will be replaced free of charge.

When a request is made for a replacement pass the information is entered ‘live’ into the database and the electronic pass request is sent automatically to the company that produces the passes. Once the new pass is requested the old pass is automatically ‘hotlisted’ so that it cannot be used.

Due to the extra time and costs involved in reversing these processes, a decision was made to make the £10 charge non-refundable once the replacement request has been made.

You can also request a pass by post using this form - Replacement pass request form (pdf, 36Kb)

* Please note that the Warwickshire Direct One Stop Shop at Alcester is unable to offer the Concessionary Travel service at present.

4.2 Renew a pass which expires on or before 31 March 2013.

If you have a temporary disability pass then you will need to re-apply providing current evidence of your disability, provided you still qualify.

If you have an age related, or permanent disability pass which expires on or before 31 March 2013 then we will be reissuing the cards automatically provided we have your up to date address and contact details. We will not need to see further evidence before doing this.

We may need to write to you in advance if we need further information.Please contact us if you have moved house since your pass was issued and you have not already told us.

We will use the photograph we have on record, unless you wish to change it in which case please contact us.

Renewing your pass is free of charge.

* Please note that the Warwickshire Direct One Stop Shop at Alcester is unable to offer the Concessionary Travel service at present.

4.3 Renew a pass which expires after 31 March 2013.

If your pass expires after March 2013, then you will need to contact us when it needs to be renewed. If your pass was issued because of a disability then we may need to see current evidence that you still qualify before renewing the card.

Renewing your pass is free of charge.

4.4 Passes which have been issued outside Warwickshire

If you have just moved to Warwickshire and you have a pass issued by another authority, then you should apply for a Warwickshire pass. You will need to provide evidence of residence and age or disability. We do not have access to the evidence used to issue your previous pass..

If you live outside Warwickshire, then your pass will be replaced by the authority who initially issued it, provided you still live within their area.

5. Changing your details

5.1 I want to change my name or address

If you change your name, you will not be issued with a new bus pass, as your old one will still work.

You should notify us so we can amend our records, this can be done either by visiting a Warwickshire Direct One Stop Shop or calling 01926 418026.This will ensure that any correspondence and renewals are sent to the correct address.

When you speak to us, please tell us that it is your bus pass details which need changing, as the County Counil and District/Borough Councils have many separate databases, and changes in details are not automatically made in all of them.

If you move outside the county, you must return your pass to us at the address below. You should apply to your new local authority for a pass.

5.2 The pass is no longer required

The pass should be returned to the nearest Warwickshire Direct One Stop Shop, or posted to us, at the address below. We will then update our records and ensure that no unnecessary correspondence is sent.

Warwickshire County Council
Concessionary travel
FREEPOST LG111
PO Box 43
Warwick
CV34 4BR

Warwickshire Direct