Your travel pass benefits
Questions and answers
If you cannot find the answer to your question below then visit the DfT bus pass site for more information
For the additional benefits offered by the Nottinghamshire scheme follow this link.
Q. How is the new national bus concession different from the current one?
A. From 1st April 2008, the new national bus concession will enable eligible users to get free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England.
Q. When exactly is off-peak travel?
A. Off peak hours are 9.30 until 23.00 Monday – Friday, and all day weekends and bank holidays.
Q. What is the definition of a ‘local’ bus?
A. The definition of a ‘local’ bus will be self-evident in most cases, but in a few instances could include some longer distance buses and coach services where part of their route is registered as a local bus service. If in doubt, you can check with the service operator or the relevant local authority in the area in which you intend to travel.
Q. Will I be able to enjoy free travel everywhere within the UK?
A. No, the concession will only apply within England.
Q. Is it only applicable to buses?
A. The new concession applies just to local bus travel but some authorities offer additional services. See below to find out exactly what extra services are covered in your area.
Q. If I visit an area that offers additional services, will I be entitled to them?
A. Probably not. As a general rule, local authorities will only provide additional services for their own residents. Some authorities, however, may provide them – the additional benefits in Nottinghamshire are detailed below.
Q. I don’t live in London, but I visit relatives there occasionally. Will I be able to enjoy the same benefits as a Freedom Pass holder if I travel there?
A. No. Because those benefits are paid for by the London authorities, only London Freedom Pass holders will be able to enjoy additional local travel on the tube, trains and trams. You will, however, be able to enjoy the statutory national concession of free off-peak bus travel when visiting the capital.
Q. I’m finding all the differences in the different schemes confusing, what do I really need to know?
A. The new national pass entitles you to free off-peak local bus travel anywhere in England. This is the only service that is guaranteed. There are additional services available for residents in Nottinghamshire, see below for more details.
Q. Who qualifies for concessionary travel?
A. People aged 60 or over, or eligible disabled people are entitled to concessionary bus travel. You are an eligible disabled person if you:
• are blind or partially sighted
• are profoundly or severely deaf
• are without speech
• have a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to walk
• do not have arms or have long term loss of the use of both arms
• have a learning disability - a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning, or
• would have an application to drive a motor vehicle refused due to your disability
Q. Can a companion travel free with me if I need help on buses?
A. Yes in some cases. If you are registered blind, have a severe learning disability or a serious physical disability which means you require assistance a companion may be eligible to travel with you free of charge. Other disabilities do not entitle you to free companion travel. Please note that free travel for companions is not a national entitlement but is a Nottinghamshire local enhancement to the scheme. The entitlement is limited to journeys that are either wholly within Nottinghamshire, including the city of Nottingham, or starting in Nottinghamshire. For example:
• Travelling from Retford to Newark a companion, can travel free of charge on a bus in both directions.
• Travelling from Mansfield to Derby your companion can travel free to Derby but would have to pay for their return journey.
Q. How do I apply for my travel pass and how much does it cost?
A. The concessionary travel passes are initially free of charge, however if you lose your pass a fee may be charged for a replacement. Contact your Borough/District Council for details. If you already hold a Nottinghamshire free travel pass you don’t need to do anything. Your existing pass will be automatically replaced with the new national pass before the scheme starts. If you do not currently have a Nottinghamshire pass but would like to apply then please contact your Borough/District Council.
Q. How do I use my travel pass?
A. If your bus is equipped with a card reader please present your pass to it when you board. Next tell the driver where you want to travel to and take your ticket if one is offered to you. If you are travelling before 9.30 on Monday to Friday in Nottinghamshire you must pay the driver your half fare. Be ready to show your pass to the reader again when the driver has entered your ticket request.
If you have a problem using your pass, with transport operators or any other issues regarding the scheme please contact the County Council on 0844 9 808080. Persons caught using any travel pass in a fraudulent manner may have the pass withdrawn and be excluded from the scheme.
Additional benefits for Nottinghamshire residents
The Nottinghamshire scheme offers the following additional benefits over and above the English national scheme.
If you are a Nottinghamshire resident you are also entitled to:
• Half price bus travel before 9.30 Monday to Friday and free travel after 23.00 except on premium fare night buses. (Please check with the operators before using one of these late night services).
• Free travel on the Nottingham tram (NET) between 9.30 and 16.00 and after 18.00 Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on bank holidays. Before 9.30 and between 16.00 and 18.00 Monday to Friday half fare travel is available.
• Half fare rail travel on local journeys in and around Nottinghamshire
These extra benefits are only available on journeys beginning or ending in Nottinghamshire, they will not be available on journeys in other parts of the country. They are only available to holders of a Nottinghamshire pass.
The additional benefits can be altered or withdrawn at any time.
Rail information
You can use your pass to travel on any train service operating between any two stations on the following lines, provided your journey starts or finishes in Nottinghamshire (including Langley Mill and Alfreton):
• Nottingham-Newark-Lincoln
• Nottingham-Bingham-Grantham
• Nottingham-Long Eaton-Derby
• Nottingham-Loughborough- Leicester
• Sheffield-Worksop-Retford-Lincoln
• Nottingham-Langley Mill-Alfreton- Chesterfield-Sheffield (including Meadowhall)
• Nottingham-Mansfield-Worksop
PLEASE NOTE: Your pass is not valid on the East Coast Main Line operating between Newark and Retford.
The half fare concession applies to all standard single and return rail tickets and some saver and day returns. If the station where you board your train has a ticket office you must buy your ticket at the office, if you do not do this you may not be entitled to the half fare concession. Your concessionary pass cannot be used in conjunction with any other travel pass.
If you have not been able find the answer to your question above then visit the DfT bus pass site for more information.
