Concessionary Bus Fare Scheme

Current scheme: 1 October 2006 - 31 March 2008

The current scheme enables Peterborough pass holders to travel for free on local buses throughout the whole of Cambridgeshire and to certain market towns (listed below). Passes can be used from 9.30am Mondays to Fridays and all day weekends and bank holidays.

Kings Lynn	Biggleswade
Downham Market	Stamford
Newmarket	The Deepings
Haverhill	Bourne
Saffron Walden	Spalding
Royston

Those holding passes because they are blind or partially sighted will be able to travel free at any time as long as their journey starts or finishes in Cambridgeshire.

How to qualify

Bus passes are available for the following groups:

Pensioners (men and women aged 60 or over)
People who qualify for the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance or the War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
Those registered deaf
Those who are without speech and can provide medical evidence
Those who are prevented from obtaining a driving licence on medical grounds
Those registered blind or partially sighted
Those who have a learning disability which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
Those who have long term loss of the use of both arms

Where to get your bus pass

The Travelchoice Centre, Queensgate bus station.

Postal applications should be made to:

The Integrated Passenger Transport Unit

Peterborough City Council

3^rd Floor, Midgate House

Midgate

Peterborough

PE1 1TN

You will need to provide proof that you qualify for the pass. This must include proof of residency and proof of eligibility. Please consult the application form for guidance on the accepted proofs of eligibility. New applicants will also need to provide two passport sized photographs of themselves.

The new nationwide concessionary bus fare scheme

From 1 April 2008, the concessionary bus fare scheme will be improved, allowing free travel on all local buses anywhere in England. The scheme will not allow free travel on coaches. For example; you could travel for free on the X1 to Norwich or the X4 to Northampton but you could not travel for free on National Express. The same time restrictions are likely to apply: 9.30am until 11pm on weekdays and all day weekends and bank holidays. See attached leaflet for details.

Information for people who have a pass because they are blind or partially sighted. From 1 April the time restrictions will change. You will be able to travel at all times when boarding a bus in Cambridgeshire. However, if you board a bus outside of Cambridgeshire, you can only travel for free from 9.30am to 11pm Mondays to Fridays and at all times on weekends and bank holidays.

For example, you can travel at any time when travelling from Peterborough to Wisbech/Cambridge/Stamford/Norwich/Northampton. You will also be able to travel at any time from Wisbech/Ely/Cambridge etc to any destination.

You will only be able to travel from 9.30am to 11pm Mondays to Fridays and at all times on weekends and bank holidays for the following type of trips. Travelling from Stamford/Norwich/Northampton to Peterborough. Likewise, if you use your pass in London/Manchester etc you will only be able to travel from 9.30am to 11pm Mondays to Fridays and at all times on weekends and bank holidays.

Please note that the time restrictions are slightly different to the ones advertised in the leaflet.

Current pass holders will need to reapply for the nationwide scheme. Pass holders need to contact the Integrated Passenger Transport Unit if they have not already reapplied for the new scheme. Any resident who is 60 before 1 2008 April should apply for the nationwide scheme now.

Passes for the nationwide scheme will be posted out before 31 March 2008 and more information will be provided at this time.

Temporary arrangements

Some people may not receive their pass in time for 1 April. This could be because they have applied late. If you have not received your pass by early April please contact the Integrated Passenger Transport Unit.

The city council has agreed some temporary measures with all the bus operators. If anyone does not receive their pass before 1 April, you can continue to use your existing pass anywhere in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire. If you want to travel outside of Peterborough and Cambridgeshire, you will need to take your current pass to the Travelchoice Centre in Queensgate Bus Station where they will issue you with a temporary nationwide pass. If you do not have a current pass, you will need to go to the Travelchoice Centre and they will be able to issue you with a current pass.

If you have any questions about the scheme ring the Passenger Transport Team on (01733) 747474 or email buses@peterborough.gov.uk .

The document below appears in Adobe® Acrobat® (PDF) format. In order to view it you will need to have Acrobat Reader installed. (Those with visual impairments may wish to investigate Access Adobe, which provides tools and information to help make PDF files more accessible.)

Concessionary fares application form

(212 KB, 2 pages)

Other Links:

Peterborough residents can purchase discounted Young Person's, Senior, and Disabled Person's Railcards which allow 1/3 off many rail journeys. See our Railcards page for more information.