Frequently asked Questions about the New Travel Scheme
Contact
Tel: 01509 634561 / Minicom: 01509 215996
Email: concessionary.travel@charnwood.gov.uk
Frequently Asked Questions about National Scheme for Bus Travel
When did the National scheme start?
1st April 2008
People aged 60 and over, and eligible disabled people of any age who qualify under any of the categories listed below:
- a) registered as blind or partially sighted,
- b) registered as profoundly or severely deaf,
- c) without speech (unable to communicate orally in any language),
- d) does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms,
- e) registered (or eligible to register) as someone with a learning disability, defined as a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning,
- f) would, if they applied, be deemed medically unfit to hold a driving licence (other than on the grounds of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol),
- g) has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk (usually demonstrated by being in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement for at least 12 months, or being the holder of a valid disabled person’s parking permit / Blue Badge).
What does the National scheme include?
The National scheme provides for free off-peak travel for eligible persons travelling on local buses anywhere in England after 9.30 am and until 11pm on weekdays and at all times on weekends and bank holidays.
In addition to this, Charnwood national cardholders get half fare travel before 9.30am weekdays if travelling within the local area (full fare for journeys before 9.30am outside the area), with free travel after 9.30am until midnight on weekdays and at all times on weekends and bank holidays.
Eligible disabled cardholders get free bus travel in the local area at all times (full fare for journeys before 9.30am outside the area).
For bus travel purposes "local area" is defined as bus journeys entirely in Leicestershire (including the city of Leicester) and to and from Derby, Nottingham, Newark, Grantham, Stamford, Peterborough, Corby, Kettering, Northampton, Rugby, Coventry, Nuneaton, Atherstone and Burton-on-Trent, provided one end of the journey (with no change of bus) is in Leicestershire or the city of Leicester.
How do I apply to join the National scheme?
Please download and complete an application form or we can send one to you on request. The application form is also available in large print and Braille Please contact us, telephone (01509 634561), or Minicom (01509 215996) if you would like your information in these formats. You can also e-mail us at concessionary.travel@charnwood.gov.uk
You will also need to send us a photograph of the size and format used on passports, together with proof of entitlement such as proof of age (an original or photocopy of an official document showing your name and date of birth) for older people or completion of section 5 for disabled people.
Because of the security features built into the National travel cards a specialist external company produces the cards on behalf of Charnwood Borough Council. At our busiest times it may take up to 28 days to issue new or replacement travel cards, although we will always aim to process your application more quickly if we can.
What if I do not receive my new National travel card? Can I still use my old card?
The old Charnwood scheme cards could still be used locally until the end of September 2008. However, from 1st October 2008 they are no longer valid for travel.
If you did not respond to our National scheme mailings or have applied but not received your National scheme travel card within a month of applying please contact us as soon as possible. We will then send you an application form or re-order your card as appropriate so you can take advantage of the greater concessions offered by the National scheme as soon as possible.
Can my carer apply for a card?
Sorry but unfortunately carers of people with disabilities are not covered by the national scheme and so cannot be issued with a travel card.
Will I be able to travel all round the UK for free?
No, the National scheme guarantees free off-peak local bus travel for eligible residents within England only. Travel cards will not be valid in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Isles or the Isle of Man.
Can I use National Express or similar long distance coach services with my new card?
No, the new scheme only entitles pass holders to free off-peak travel on local bus services.
Can I use trams or London Underground with my new card?
No, the new scheme only entitles pass holders to free off-peak travel on local bus services. The card is not valid on trams or London Underground.
Can I use Community Transport services with my new card?
Eligible disabled cardholders continue to travel free on Community Transport services equivalent to bus services at all times and for half fare on social car schemes. Other cardholders are entitled to travel for half the normal fare charged by any Community Transport operators of minibus or dial-a-ride services taking part in the scheme at all times.
What is the definition of a 'local' bus?
This will be self evident in most cases, but may occasionally include some tour buses and some scheduled coach services where also registered as local bus services. If in doubt, cardholders should check with the relevant bus operator before attempting to travel.
Can I use rail services with my new card?
Other modes of transport such as trains are outside the new National concession. However, Charnwood Borough Council continues to fund the same additional concessions for its residents as previously provided under the old Charnwood Gold Card scheme. This includes free local rail travel at all times for eligible disabled cardholders and half fare local rail travel at all times for other cardholders. Half fare would be half the normal adult single or return fare. Please note that National travel cards may not be used in conjunction with railcards.
"Local" rail travel is defined as train journeys wholly within Leicestershire (including to and from Leicester), and between stations in this area and Derby, Nottingham, Grantham, Peterborough, Kettering and Nuneaton (and the stations en route).
Voucher holders can use travel vouchers to pay all or part of the full fare on such services.
What do the new travel cards look like?
Because the new National Bus Travel Concession applies to the whole of England all bus drivers in England need to be able to recognise cards issued by any English local authority, so all now follow a new national standard design but with individual local authority branding.
All travel cards are credit card sized and include a photograph. Persons over 60 will receive a card with a blue stripe along one edge; eligible disabled persons will receive a card with an orange stripe along one edge.
Are the new travel cards smartcards?
Yes - The Government decided that the National scheme travel cards would be issued in smartcard format and contain a microchip which can be read by smart readers fitted to some buses. The microchip contains the 13 digit reference number also printed on the front of the card and details of the concessions that your card entitles you to, but no personal information.
Why has the Government decided on Smartcards?
The purpose of the smartcard system is to record where and when travel cards are being used, particularly to help ensure the bus operators receive the correct payment from local authorities for allowing free travel on their buses.
Smartcards also have a number of advantages over traditional paper based bus passes. When used on smart readers they are highly resistant to fraudulent replication and can help prevent stolen or expired passes from being used. They can also help speed up boarding, helping to reduce bus journey times.
In addition to use as a concessionary travel pass, the smartcard could also potentially be used in the future for other services, such as allowing access to leisure or library services.
How do I use my smartcard travel card?
Only a few buses in Leicestershire currently have smartcard readers, but buses in some other parts of England are already fitted with them. If you board a bus with a smartcard-reading ticket machine the driver will instruct you how to use your card in it.
If the bus does not have a smartcard reader you will simply need to show your card to the bus driver (as happens now) and you will be issued a ticket to indicate that your pass has been accepted. If you are travelling free, the ticket’s value will show as zero. If it shows information about the origin and/or destination of your journey you should ensure it is correct.
What if I lose my travel card or it becomes badly worn or damaged?
Please contact us for advice. Usually we will ask you to write to us with your details and another photograph and we will then arrange for a replacement card to be issued. However, in some circumstances we may need to ask you to complete an application form as well. You can usually expect to receive your replacement card within 28 days.
Some Councils may charge an administration fee to replace a lost card unless the card has been stolen and a crime reference number has been obtained from the police. Charnwood Borough Council do not charge a fee at present.
Please remember that you will need to send us another photograph before a replacement pass can be issued.
You should inform us of your new address. If you continue to live in Charnwood you can continue to use your National scheme card or vouchers as before.
If you move out of Charnwood you should inform us and cut up and return your travel card or vouchers, and contact the local council of area you are moving into to apply for a new card or vouchers.
How long will my National scheme card be valid for?
The national travel cards all have an expiry date. Charnwood Borough Council’s national cards all have an initial expiry date of 31st March 2013, although it is possible that there may be a phased renewal programme from 2011 or 2012 to avoid the difficulties in administration that might arise if we tried to renew all travel cards at the same time. We will advise cardholders of the intended renewal process nearer the time.
What if I cannot use local bus services and would rather have travel vouchers instead of a card?
Charnwood Borough Council continues to offer local travel vouchers as an alternative to a bus pass for eligible disabled persons. They are also available if you are over 60 and live in a place that is not near a frequent local bus service (defined as one that operates hourly or more frequently on Mondays to Saturdays) or live more than 800 metres from a bus stop on a frequent bus service.
If you choose vouchers you will not receive a National travel card, but will instead receive a Charnwood Gold photo card which must be shown to prove your identity every time you travel using the vouchers.
You can use the local vouchers to pay full fare to travel on local bus and train services (please see definition of "Local" as noted above) and in some local taxis, private hire cars and community transport services. Each voucher is worth £1.
How do I apply for Travel Vouchers?
Please download and complete an application form or we can send one to you on request (see “how do I apply to join the National scheme?” above).
How many Travel Vouchers will I get?
The number of vouchers you get for the concession year depends on the date you apply:
- 1st May to 31st August - £33
- 1st September to 30th November - £22
- 1st December to 31st January - £11
Vouchers are not issued in February, March or April.
You are entitled to only one issue of vouchers each concession year, which runs from 1st May to 30th April.
How long are Charnwood Gold Cards and Travel Vouchers valid for?
Charnwood Gold Cards (to prove your identity every time you travel using the vouchers)do not have an expiry date and do not need to be renewed. Travel vouchers are issued annually and carry an expiry date of 30th April for that concession year.
How long will I have to wait for my Gold Card or Travel Vouchers?
Normally we will aim to process your application within 10-15 working days, although at our busiest times it may take longer.
What if I already receive travel vouchers but wish to join the new National scheme?
Should existing voucher holders wish to change concession and join the National scheme you will have an option to do so in April when we start the annual voucher renewal process for the next concessionary travel year. You will need to complete a new application form and cut up and return your Charnwood Gold Card at the same time.
What other benefits are there?
The Charnwood branded National scheme cards and the voucher-users Charnwood Gold Card also help you to access a range of other services and benefits on production of the card. At present these include:-
1. Card holders can use their card as proof of status to receive 50% discount on some (not all) activities at both Loughborough Leisure Centre and Soar Valley centre within the following time periods:
- Loughborough - Monday to Friday 6.15am to 5.00pm and all day at weekends. Download the Loughborough Leisure Centre price list to see where concessions are available.
- Soar Valley - Monday to Friday 7.00am to 5.00pm and all day at weekends. Download the Soar Valley price list to see where concessions are available.
- Please note discount on casual swimming is available at all times.
- The card can also be used at the South Charnwood Swimming Pool in Syston for casual swimming at all times.
2. Concessions for most shows at the Town Hall (however please note discounts do vary from show to show so please enquire before booking tickets).
3. The Town Hall also offers eligible card users the opportunity to join an over 60's luncheon club which offers 10% off lunches at the Town Hall Cafe on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
How can I contact you with any questions or problems?
Please contact The Concessionary Travel Team.
For timetable enquiries please telephone Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or visit www.traveline.info
Which local travel operators are participating in the National scheme?
Participating Travel Operators
|
COMPANY NAME |
CONTACT INFORMATION |
|---|---|
|
ARRIVA |
0116 2640400 |
|
CENTREBUS |
0116 2460030 |
|
FIRST (Leicester CityBus) |
0116 2516691 |
|
KINCHBUS/ TRENT BARTON |
01509 260104 |
|
PAUL WINSON |
01509 232354 |
|
LEICESTERSHIRE |
0116 3058777 |
|
SOUTH NOTTS (Nottingham City Transport) |
0115 9830226 |
|
For RAIL issues |
getintouch@eastmidlandstrains.co.uk Please provide your full name and address and reference to the National Travel pass / Charnwood Gold Card scheme. If you would like a response please ensure you request this. |
Useful Web Links
Links to information on public transport services available.
- Traveline
For information and a journey planner for linked trips. You can also call the helpline on 0871 200 22 33.
- Leicestershire County Council
For bus service information including timetables, general information and web links (County Council site listing countywide bus servcies covered by the scheme.)
- Loughborough Travel Guide
Connections from Loughborough Bus, coach and rail
Local, regional and national transport connections - Hospital Hopper
Information about Leicestershire Hospital Circular Bus Service (£1 Fare).
Last updated: Fri 12th February, 2010 @ 14:50