Charnwood Borough Council

2008 National Scheme for Bus Travel

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO ELIGIBILITY: As from April 2010 the eligibility for Concessionary Travel is now being brought in line with the changes to the State Pension Age, tying the age of eligibility (for both men and women) to the pensionable age for women (as it increases from 60 to 65 over the next ten years), rather than both becoming eligible at age 60 as at present. Click here to view the Statutory Instrument Document.

On 1st April 2008 the Government launched a new National scheme for bus travel. This replaced the existing Charnwood Gold Card scheme. Under the National scheme everyone over the pensionable age for women (in line with changes to the State Pension Age) and eligible disabled people are entitled to apply for a travel card offering free off-peak bus travel between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday and at all times on weekends and bank holidays, on all local buses anywhere in England.

In addition Charnwood Borough Council is continuing to fund the additional concessions previously offered under the Charnwood Gold Card scheme. These include half fare travel before 9.30am, free bus travel after 11pm (when the National scheme free concession ends), half fare local rail travel at all times, the option to receive travel vouchers instead of a bus pass, and use of community transport schemes. Charnwood Borough Council also continue to offer free travel at all times on local buses and local trains for eligible disabled persons.

The links below provide further information about the scheme including answers to frequently asked questions, a downloadable application form, and a map outlining what counts as the "local area" for the additional local concessions offered.

• Frequently asked Questions about the New Travel Scheme

  Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the operation of the Scheme.

• National Concessionary Travel Scheme Application Form (PDF Document 146.31 Kb.)

  Downloadable Application Form to apply to join the Scheme.

• Local Area Map (PDF Document 716.61 Kb.)

  Map showing "local area" for additional local concessions. Please note destinations eligible for half-fare train travel are not as far-reaching as those for half-fare peak-time bus travel.

• Contact the Concessionary Travel Team

  If you can't find the information you need or require further assistance