Concessionary Travel

Changes for 2008

UPDATE ON THE DELIVERY OF BUS PASSES

All the companies in the country who produce the cards on behalf of local authorities have been inundated with requests for bus passes.  As a result there is at present delay in processing the new National Passes. We do apologise for this but please bear in mind there may be a delay of around two weeks for your pass to be delivered.

The New Scheme

2008 is bringing a substantial change to the way that bus pass holders can travel. Here are the key points:

• You can travel anywhere in England off peak (09:30-23:00 Mon Friday) and all days at weekends FREE OF CHARGE on local bus services.
• Great news!!! If you are a North Dorset District Council resident you can travel free of charge at any time of the day as long as your journey starts in North Dorset. This is a discretionary element that NDDC Councillors voted to retain and goes above the statutory minimum. Only NDDC and West Dorset District Council have retained this, so if you wish to travel in any other authority before 09:30 on a weekday you will have to pay (or wait until after 09:30).
• If you have the Companion element of the pass you will still be able to use it on journeys in Dorset (Inc Bournemouth and Poole) and to and from Salisbury
• The pass will still be valid on Community transport schemes such as Nordcat.
• There is a comprehensive FAQ section on the Department for Transport's website. Click on this link for more information:

FAQs on the new concessionary travel scheme

Travelling to London after 1st April? Click on this link for more information.

How to apply

You will be eligible for the Dorset Bus Pass if you are:

• Aged 60 or over
• Under 60 and Disabled (see below)
• Registered blind or partially sighted

The full criteria for eligibility can be found on the application form.

Applicants must provide a photocopy of the appropriate document or registration card which clearly shows they satisfy one of the qualifying conditions .  As an alternative the district council may accept a supporting letter from Dorset Social Services, a relevant organisation or doctor.

You will need to provide a colour photograph (passport size) and the photograph you supply will be on the bus-pass for up to five years so make sure you are happy with it as it can't be changed. Also, should you lose your bus-pass we may charge £5 to replace it).

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM

Disabled people

Disabled people who satisfy one of the qualifying conditions set out below are eligible (subject to any other eligibility conditions that may apply to individual concessions):

• You are profoundly or severely deaf
• You are without speech
• You have a disability and/or an injury which has a substantial and long term adverse affect on your ability to walk.
• You do not have arms or suffer from long-term loss of use of both arms.
• You have a learning disability or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence or social functioning.
• You are unable to obtain a driving licence due to physical fitness.

You are in receipt of either Severe Disablement Benefit/Disability Living Allowance (higher or Middle rates only)/Disability Working Allowance.

Proof accepted (photocopies are acceptable)

A copy of one of the following:

• Birth certificate
• Driving licence (showing date of birth)
• Passport
• Medical card (showing date of birth)
• The front and inside page of benefit book which proves that you are in receipt of Retirement Pension/Severe Disablement Allowance/Disability Living Allowance/Mobility Allowance or Disability Working Allowance
• Social Security card stating that you are registered either blind, partially sighted or disabled
• A doctor's letter confirming disability

If you are applying for a companion pass, we will need to see proof of Carers Allowance.

Other information you may need to know:

NORDCAT (North Dorset Community Accessible Transport )

YOU CAN USE YOUR NEW BUS PASS ON NORDCAT

Nordcat is a charitable organisation which provides a door-to-door minibus service in the North Dorset area primarily for the elderly, disabled and socially excluded.

NORDCAT minibuses are wheelchair accessible and can carry up to 15 passengers.

There is a small annual registration fee of £2.00 to cover administration costs. The buses are also available for groups to hire. The registration for this is £5.00 per year.

For further information on any of the NORDCAT services please contact the NORDCAT Community Transport Manager, Helen Reed, on (01258) 472164.

Rail Warrants and Taxi tokens. Please note: the Council no longer issues or redeems taxi tokens or rail warrants. The only concession offered by NDDC is the bus pass travel concession.

If you have any other questions or for more information please contact the Customer Contact Team on 01258 454111