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Bus Passes

Who can apply?

To get a Senior Citizen's Bus Pass (also known as "Concessionary Travel Pass") you must live in the Borough of Surrey Heath.

What age do I have to be to apply for a Senior Citizen's Concessionary Travel Pass?

Certain changes have been made to the eligibility criteria for determining when you can apply for a Senior Citizen's Concessionary Travel Pass. These were announced in the Government's Pre- Budget Report in December 2009 and came into effect from 6th April 2010, in line with changes that were made to the state pension age, also from April 2010.

These changes to the age of eligibility will not impact on anyone already in possession of, or entitled to, a Concessionary Travel Pass. The eligibility of disabled people is unaffected by this change.

From 6th April 2010, the age of eligibility for concessionary travel in England has been linked to the pensionable age applying to women. This is explained further below:

Changes to the age of eligibility from 6th April 2010

Before 6th April 2010, both men and women become eligible for concessionary travel when they attain 60 years of age.

From 6th April 2010, the age of eligibility for concessionary travel in England will be tied to the pensionable age for women. So, as the pensionable age for women gradually increases from 60 to 65 over the ten year period from 2010 to 2020, so too will the age of eligibility for concessionary travel increase for both men and women.

The age of eligibility for concessionary travel for those turning 60 after 6 April 2010 is therefore:

• For women = pensionable age
• For men = pensionable age of a woman born on the same day.

By 2020 the pensionable age for men and women will have harmonised at 65.

Why have these changes taken place?

With the difference in state pension age for men and women set to disappear between 2010 and 2020, this change re-establishes the link with pension age for concessionary travel and removes the anomalous position of working age citizens receiving free bus passes. This will assist in securing the long term financial sustainability of the scheme.

How do I work out when I will become eligible for a Concessionary Travel Pass?

The easiest way to assess if a person is eligible for concessionary travel is by reference to their date of birth.

• People born before 6th April 1950 are eligible for concessionary travel from their 60th birthday.
• People born after 5th April 1950 and before 6th April 1955 will become eligible for concessionary travel between their 60th and 65th birthdays. Their precise age of eligibility will depend on their individual date of birth.
• People born after 5th April 1955 will not become eligible for concessionary travel until they are 65 or older (in line with any future planned changes to state pension age).

The pension age calculator on the Directgov website Opens in a new window can be used to work out on what date a person becomes eligible for concessionary travel. This is also set out in the State Pension Age Changes table Opens in a new window (PDF) which also includes Questions and Answers on the changes.

If this is your first bus pass, you will need to visit the Council Offices with proof of your date of birth and residency. You will be issued with an application form which you will need to complete and provide a recent passport sized photograph and return the completed application form and photograph to Novacroft; the address of which can be found on the form.

People with a disability requiring a disabled persons bus pass
To get a Disabled Person's Bus Pass you must live in the Borough of Surrey Heath, be between 5 and 60 years of age and have a disability as listed in one of the following categories:

1. Blind or partially sighted
2. Profoundly or severely deaf
3. Without speech/ suffering from a permanent disability or injury, which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on the ability to walk
4. Without the use of both arms
5. Have a learning disability (as defined in the Transport Act 2000)
6. Refused or likely to be refused a driving licence on medical grounds.

If you qualify under one of the categories 1 to 6 listed above and you are registered or eligible to be registered with the County Council's Social Services Department please provide proof of your disability.

How do I apply for a Disabled Bus Pass?
If this is your first disabled Bus Pass, you will need to visit the Council Offices with proof of your date of birth and residency together with proof of your disability as stated in 1 - 6 above. You will be issued with an application form which you will need to complete and provide a recent passport sized photograph and return the completed application form and photograph to Novacroft the address of which can be found on the form.

If you think you qualify under one of the categories 1 to 6 above and you are not registered disabled, please contact Surrey County Council Social Services on 03456 009 009.

If you have been or are likely to be refused a driving licence on medical grounds please provide a copy of the refusal letter or a letter from your doctor certifying the medical condition which prevents you from driving.

If you are registered blind or partially sighted please show your Registration Card or letter to a member of the Contact Centre at Surrey Heath Borough Council. If you are blind or partially sighted and you are not registered in any way, contact the Surrey Voluntary Association for the Blind.

SAVI
Rentwood, School Lane
Fetcham
Leatherhead
Surrey KT22 9JX

Tel: 01372 377 701
Fax: 01372 360767
E-mail: info@sa-vi.org.uk

If you lose your Bus Pass contact us immediately and we will arrange for a replacement to be issued in due course.

What is a Companion Bus Pass?
If you find it impossible to travel on your own you can apply for a Companion Bus Pass. It enables both you and your companion to travel free but only in the local area (companion Bus Pass are not valid for national travel). If you think you qualify please contact your Social Services office. If you qualify they will give you a letter confirming your need for assistance and this should accompany your application form.

When can I Travel and Times of Travel?
Surrey Heath Bus Passes issued for residents over 60 years of age are valid from 9.30am Mondays to Fridays and all day weekends including Bank Holidays.

Where can I travel?
You can use your bus pass for free travel on any local bus service throughout England.

You can not use your new bus pass on:

• Express services or exursions
• Special services
• Tram, tube or rail services
• Services in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
• Services which the Department of Transport may add to the above list

Need bus timetable information?
Surrey County Council produces free Bus and Train Guides to help your journeys. These are available from libraries, council offices and bus enquiry offices or by contacting Surrey County Council on 03456 009009.
Timetable information is also available on the Surrey County Council website at www.surreycc.gov.uk/buses Opens in a new window

Surrey Heath Bus Passes issued for disabled residents are valid all day every day.

Who finances the Bus Pass scheme?
The concessionary Bus Pass scheme is financed for Surrey Heath residents by Surrey Heath Borough Council.

Listen to

County Sound's talk with Vivienne Chapman on the Surrey Heath bus passes Opens in a new window
(clip by kind permission of County Sound Radio 1566 MV).

This service or information is provided by Surrey Heath Borough Council