Bus Passes and Concessionary Travel

• Application form

The Department of Transport has revised its criteria for eligibility to this scheme.

At the moment anyone aged 60 or over can apply for a bus pass which enables the holder to free off-peak travel.

From the 6th April 2010 a person will have to wait until after they have reached their pensionable age. For women, from 2010 pensionable age now gradually increases  from 60 - 65 over the ten year period of 2010 to 2020 which means so too will the age of eligibility for concessionary travel increase.

A man's eligibility will be measured against a woman who was born on the same day. This means that the earliest date on which you can get your bus pass will depend on which month and year you were born in. However, eligibility will not fall on a person's birthday but within the months following on from the birthday. 

By 2020 the pensionable age for men and women will have harmonised at 65. These changes will NOT impact on anyone who reached the age of 60 before 6th April 2010 but had not applied for a concessionary travel pass before this date.

The eligibility of disabled people is also unaffected by this change. The changes apply only to England. Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area and legislation and assessment of eligibility with regard to concessionary travel in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for the appropriate devolved administration.

• Guidance on the changes in the age of eligibility for concessionary travel (Department of transport website)
  

Who is eligible?

Men and women who are age 60 or over, or eligible disabled, and live in England.

How to apply?

Apply in person at the Town Hall, Rugby or ring (01788) 533784 between 9.00am and 5.00pm any Monday to Friday.

You will need to complete an application form and come in person to the Town Hall and bring with you a passport photograph and evidence of your age and residency.

The photograph must:

• be a recent passport photo taken no more than 12 months ago.
• be in colour, with a white background, showing a close up of your head and shoulders, facing forwards, looking straight towards the camera and without a hat etc.
• have your first name, surname and postcode written in BLOCK CAPITALS on the rear of the photo.

Download a bus pass application form.

How long will my permit last?

Permits are issued to run from 1st April 2008 to 31st March 2013.

What concession will I get?

Free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England (not Wales, Scotland or Ireland).

When may I use the permit?

The permit may be used on local bus journeys Monday to Friday starting:

• within Warwickshire between 9.00am and midnight
• outside Warwickshire between 9.30am and 11.00pm
• and any time on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Issue charge

There is no issue charge and the permits are free (although there is a charge of £7.50 for lost passes).

On which services is the permit valid?

Permits are available for use on any services operated by bus companies who are participating in the Concessionary Fare Scheme. Check before making your travel plans. For travel information contact "traveline" (public travel information) on (0870) 608 2608.

Information on bus services and timetables in Warwickshire

If your circumstances change, or if you move address, it is very important that you notify the Concessionary Travel Section of Rugby Borough Council, so that we can update our records.

If you have any queries, please telephone 01788 533784.