Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the current position?

Since 1 April 2006, all residents of England who are aged 60 and over or who are disabled have been guaranteed free off-peak local bus travel within the local authority area in which they live.

As a minimum, passes can currently be used for off-peak bus travel within the boundaries of the district or unitary authority of residence.

2. What will be the position after April 2008?

People aged 60 and over and people with certain disabilities (see what are the eligible categories of disability) in England will get free off-peak travel on all local buses anywhere in England - rather than just within their local authority area of residence.

Free bus travel for those eligible from 9.30am until 11pm on weekdays, and all day weekends and bank holidays, across England.

3. Who is eligible for concessions?

People aged 60 and over, and disabled people of any age who qualify under the categories listed in the Transport Act 2000.

4. What are the eligible categories of disability?

There are seven categories of disability under which a person can be entitled to concessionary bus travel. An eligible person is someone who:

(a) is blind or partially sighted,

(b) is profoundly or severely deaf,

(c) is without speech,

(d) has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to walk,

(e) does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms,

(f) has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning, or

(g) would, if he applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have his application refused pursuant to section 92 of that Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.

5. I’m an existing bus pass holder - how will I receive a new pass?

Existing pass holders will be sent a renewal letter asking them to re-apply and provide a passport style photograph. 

If you haven’t received a letter by end of August, you need to complete an application form and enclose the following:-

Proof of your age, this can either be a copy of one of the following documents:-
- your Pension Book
- your Passport
- your Birth Certificate

Proof of your address, this can either be a copy of one of the following documents:-
- your Pension Book
- your Council Tax Bill
- your gas, electricity or telephone bill

A passport standard photograph.  It is essential however, that it is clear photograph and a good likeness of you, be a close up of your head & shoulders, facing forward, looking straight towards the camera and without a hat.

You can download the application form here: 

You can also pick up an application form at any of the enquiry counters at the forum offices or from the Tourist Information Centre.

6. I want a concession now (before April 2008) what do I need to do?

New applicants should apply no earlier than one week prior to their 60^th birthday to allow passes to be produced.

You need to complete an application form and enclose the following:-

Proof of your age, this can either be a copy of one of the following documents:-
- your Pension Book
- your Passport
- your Birth Certificate

Proof of your address, this can either be a copy of one of the following documents:-
- your Pension Book
- your Council Tax Bill
- your gas, electricity or telephone bill

Two passport standard photographs.  It is essential however, that it is clear photograph and a good likeness of you, be a close up of your head & shoulders, facing forward, looking straight towards the camera and without a hat.

We will issue you with a pass for the current scheme and will use the details to process your pass for the new scheme.

Passes for April 2008 will be sent direct to the applicant through the post nearer the time.

7. If I have a bus pass already why do I need to   re-apply?

The Government and Bus companies are looking to standardise all Concessionary Passes throughout the Country, information currently held relating to existing pass holders needs to be verified and if necessary updated.

8. Why do we need to supply a photograph?

The new Bus passes will be of a smartcard format and will require a digital photograph of the pass holder to reduce the possibility of fraud.

Further guidance on passport standard photographs can be found by clicking on the attached link

http://www.passport.gov.uk/downloads/PLE_04Eng-Photo.pdf (external link)

9. Is there a charge for the bus pass?

The first bus pass will be issued free.

If the bus pass is stolen a duplicate will be issued free of charge (On production of Police crime report number or incident number).

If the bus pass is lost a charge of approximately £5 will be made for a replacement

10. What about other coach travel?

Scheduled coach services are not included (where they are not also registered as local services) but the Government's existing, separate scheme for concessionary half-fares on scheduled coach services introduced in May 2003 will continue. It is up to coach operators to decide whether or not to take part in this scheme

11. What happens when a bus service starting in England reaches the border with Scotland or Wales?

The national concession guarantees free off-peak local bus travel for eligible England residents within England, but not within Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. However, local authorities do have the discretion to make special arrangements (to be funded locally) where they feel they are appropriate. This could, for example, include free travel on short cross-border journeys.

12. Will eligible people be able to use their existing passes after April 2008?

It is likely that a short "grace period" will be allowed after the introduction of the national concession where local passes may continue to be used for local travel only (after this period they will no longer be valid either inside or outside the local authority area).  During the grace period eligible people will need to obtain a new national pass for journeys starting outside their local area.

13. What will the new passes look like?

The Government has been working closely with representatives of local government and bus operators to draw up the new standard for concessionary travel passes. The pass would be credit card sized and would include a photograph and will be in smartcard format.

14. When will people receive their new passes?

There may be several months' delay between a person returning a renewal form and receiving a new pass. This time delay is not something to be concerned about as processing and printing time is needed as part of the reissuing procedure.

The Government anticipates that new passes will be issued shortly before April 2008.

15. What if I leave the area?

If you move away from this area you must return all passes issued to you

For further information on concessionary fares you can contact

The County Transport Co-ordinator
Cheshire County Council
Transport Co-ordination
Rivacre Business Centre
Mill Lane
Ellesmere Port 
Cheshire
CH66 3TL
Tel: 01244 603406 or 01244 603290

Should you need further information about anything on this page please contact us at:

Concessionary Travel Scheme
Chester City Council
The Forum
Chester
CH1 2HS
Telephone  01244 402148
email: cashiers@chester.gov.uk