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Hullo, I hope you have lots of fun on this site.

On 24th June 2010, the new Government announced it would be raising the State Pension Age to age 66 - which has affected anyone born after 5th April 1950! The National Bus Pass and travel concessions are tied in with SPA, therefore (as many of us have found) we cannot apply for our Bus Passes until many months after our 60th birthday.

 

To find out your State Pension Age, and hence the date when you will be eligible for your Bus Pass, use this calculator http://pensions.direct.gov.uk/en/state-pension-age-calculator/home.asp

 

You can find more information on the Directgov website http://snipurl.com/urqbv

 
Firstly, are you eligible for concessionary bus travel?

 
          If you are resident in England and of 'eligible age',
          or are 'eligible disabled', then you are entitled to
          England-wide concessionary bus travel. 
 
 
From 1st April 2008, you are entitled to free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England.
Off peak hours are 9.30 a.m. until 11 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, and at any time on Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays.
 
Services not covered - The rules about the services you can use changed on 1 April 2009.
You may not use your free pass to travel on -
  • services where most seats can be reserved (e.g coaches)
  • temporary services running for less than six weeks (e.g. shuttle buses to special events)
  • tourist services or services on vehicles of historical interest (e.g. open-top bus tours)
  • rail replacement services
  • services where ‘extras’ (e.g. refreshments or car parking) are included in the fare

How to apply for a Bus Pass

 

Your concessionary travel pass will be issued by the authority who administers you local concessionary travel scheme. Go to http://snipurl.com/mffcd and select your area and your town from the list, to be directed to your local authority.

You will need to prove your eligibility, and that you're a permanent resident of your area (photo ID and household bills). Some authorities ask for two passport-size photos, others will take their own pictures of you. Phone beforehand to find out their requirements.

 

Don't forget to buy your hands-free lanyard and card holder from our shop - see below!

Show your pass
You must show the driver your pass as you get on the bus, He will give you a ticket which you must keep with you for the whole journey. You will be expected to show your pass and your ticket to an inspector carrying out checks on the bus. You could be charged normal fare if you can't prove your eligibility for the free concession.

  

Where can the bus passes be used?
 
They can only be used in England. Wales and Scotland have their own free bus pass schemes (click on the blue links for more information).
 
In addition, they cannot be used on the tube, trams, and DLR in London, or on National Rail at any time. (London Freedom Pass is the exception!) 
By the way, if you're 60 or over, you can buy a Senior Railcard for only £26 (or a 3-year card for £65). You will save 1/3 on Standard and First Class rail fares throughout Great Britain for a whole year. For more about the senior railcard click here: http://www.senior-railcard.co.uk/
 
PSSST!! Some over-60s claim they are paying less than £26 by purchasing their Railcard from their local Council. Worth contacting them to find out.

Half price tickets with National Express

 

If you're 60 or over you automatically qualify for concessionary fares with National Express services to destinations within England and Wales. All you have to do to qualify is verify your age. 

 

For more information go to http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/offers/routesixty.cfm

Click here to read the hair-raising story of the disgusting treatment of bus pass holders in the West Yorkshire area, as told by David and Stuart Wise. Please use the contact me page to submit your comments and stories.

 

P.S: After a recent "hearts-in-mouth" visit to West Yorks, David and Stuart sent this Postscript.

 

PPS: Another horrible incident 

Here is a shameless plug for my website www.secretarybird.net.

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Helpful websites
 
Information and advice from the UK's largest charity working with and for older people
 
Seniors Discounts provides age specific discounts and money saving advice for people 50 plus – www.seniorsdiscounts.co.uk

 

For anyone over the age of fifty who is looking to evaluate their life and learn more about themselves.
www.fiftyforward.co.uk

 
People across the UK are missing out on benefits and tax credits worth more than £5 billion a year. Entitledto can help make sure you get what is yours.
 
The dynamic Martin Lewis sends a weekly email packed full with money saving tips, advice, freebies, and consumer revenge!
 
'I don't feel 50' continues to campaign on behalf of older people. The site is centered round a lively and creative forum. 
www.idf50.co.uk

 

The National Pensioners Convention (NPC)

Their main objective is to promote the welfare and interests of all pensioners, as a way of securing dignity, respect and financial security in retirement.

http://www.npcuk.org

 

The Bus Passes Blog. "Links to local authority bus pass/freedom pass pages with information
on how/where to apply, and application forms to download.  No need to hunt for the right page !"

http://www.blog.freebustravel.co.uk/?page_id=67