General Chat

when

waiting!

see below in a mo.

Countdown to national free travel begins Permits can be ordered from Monday 23 July.People aged 60 or over, disabled people and blind people will be entitled to free, off-peak local bus travel throughout England from April 2008. To enjoy free travel everyone aged 60 and eligible disabled or blind people will need to order a new English National Concessionary Pass, even if they have a current Metro permit. People can order their new Passes from Post Offices and Bus Station Travel Centres across West Yorkshire from Monday 23 July, and have the chance win up to £500 in one of four prize draws. To make it easier for people to apply, and to help avoid long queues at Post Offices, Metro is advising people to order their English National Concessionary Pass at Post Offices, according to the first letter of their Surname (family name). So people whose Surname begins with: A, B, C, D or E should apply at Post Offices between Monday 23 July and Saturday 4 August 2007; F, G H, I, J or K should apply at Post Offices between Monday 6 Aug and Saturday 18 August 2007; L, M, N, O or P should apply at Post Offices between Monday 20 August and Saturday 1 Sep 2007; Q, R, S, or T should apply at Post Offices between Monday 3 and Saturday 15 September 2007; U, V, W, X, Y or Z should apply at Post Offices between Monday 17 and Saturday 29 September 2007. At Travel Centres, you will be able to order your new Pass outside these periods but this may mean you face a longer wait. At Post Offices, if you miss your dates, please apply from Monday 1 October onwards. Prize draws will take place on Fridays 10 and 24 August, 14 September and 12 October and for each one there are: 1 x £500 top prize; 4 x £100 runner-up prizes; 4 x £25 runner-up prizes. Read the compeition rules People aged 60 or over can also use this site to: find out how to apply for their English National Concessionary Pass and how to use it; renew their current Metro Senior Permit or apply for their first one and find out where, when and how they can use it enjoy the current free off-peak bus travel in West Yorkshire and off-peak rail travel across the county for 35p per journey between now and April 2008. Disabled people and blind people can use the site to find out how to apply for and use their English National Concessionary Pass and how to apply for/renew their current Metro Disabled Person’s or Blind Person’s Permit and how they can use it. Metro leaflets containing all this information will be available from Bus Station Travel Centres, Post Offices and other outlets such as Libraries. Don’t miss the bus – order your pass and enjoy free off-peak local bus travel throughout England from April 2008.

found this on West Yorkshire METRO SITE. Please check to see if you are eligible for free travel and get applying if you are. Suexxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

We have already got free local travel. Is this free national travel? I know that in the next couple of weks we have to go to the local council to organise new bus passes for 2008 with new photos etc. I wonder if that is why. Ann Glos

come to think of it why has no mention been made in the press. Ann Glos

Ann It would be great if 60's+ disabled and blind people could travel for free all over England. There are areas in England that do not have local free travel for the over 60's. Suexxxxxxx

I didn't know that, I thought the government brought it in a year or two ago for everyone. Where don't they then?

Bridlington was one place that didn't have free bus travel for 60+ Suexx

Wonder how they got away with that then, I thought it was something that came out of the last gen election and local councils were given grants towards it. Ann Glos

Is this mainly for Yorkshire or is it the whole country? I understood it was March2008

I think it changed locally about then. Previously pensioners had to purchase a pass entitling them to travel for half fare at off-peak times. Now it is free and from July 1st, the passes have photo I.D. Gwyn

.I live in Yorkshire but you could always google for your area. Suexxx

In London we have always had a photo ID plus Freedom Pass. so it is still March 2008 for free country wide travel by bus, but do not know about Rail travel. James

In London Rail travel is free within the boundary, with a senior rail discount pass (£20) it makes a big saving on fares James

Well that will be great but a bit unfair, still what's new - having a W surname has always put me at the end of the queue. I may well be using National Express airport coaches between my 60th birthday on July 25 and the last week in Sept but due to my name I won't be able to get my pass in time. That isn't fair! Will have to look into this and see if I can do anything. thanks for info. Liz Oh just read it again and won't apply till 2008 but will be useful for travelling then so well pleased.

Oi Watch it, Mrs....

Have a look at the DFT (Dept for Transport) site. This answers some questions about who is eligible and when the pass will be available. http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/buses/concessionary/answerstofaq/answerstocbtfaq?page=1 Sue xx

*jan can't respond.she's too busy rolling on the floor laughing* well that's one way of cleaning the floor 1. Invite Jan to visit 2. Complain of unfair treatment (say your name begins with W and call yourself P... P...) 3. Watch Jan puff of blue smoke as I disappear C