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Concessionary Fares Changes April 2008

New National Bus Pass Scheme for Over 60s and Disabled People

On 1 April 2008 a new concessionary bus pass scheme came into effect which gives people over 60 and those with a disability free travel on local bus services anywhere in England.

All local authorities have to produce bus passes in the same format so they can be instantly recognisable to all local bus drivers. Royal Borough residents currently have their bus passes on their Advantage cards - this will no longer be possible after September 2008.

Please keep your existing Advantage card for use for discounts at local shops, attractions and parking.  Your Advantage card will also still be valid as a bus pass within RBWM only until 30th September 2008.

The new bus passes are smartcards, which is a plastic card containing a microchip which can store information electronically. Smartcards have a number of advantages over traditional paper-based or Advantage card style passes. When used on smartcard reading equipment, they are highly resistant to fraudulent replication.

If you already have an Advantage style bus pass and want to know when you will receive your new national concession bus pass, please see information about Important Information for Advantage style bus pass holders.

How to apply and who is eligible

1. Where do I get my free bus pass from?

Applications should be made in person at one of the Council’s 5 issuing sites:

Contact phone number 01628 683806.

The issuing service is no longer available at Windsor Information Centre or Performance at Braywick.

Your new pass will be posted to you within 10 working days. Further checks will be made on your application to verify your eligibility.

For contact details and opening times for Leisure Centres and the Customer Service Centres please click on the relevant link.

2. Who is eligible?

All borough residents over the age of 60 or who are registered disabled.

3. How do I qualify if I am disabled?

The seven categories of disability include any person who:

a) is blind or partially sighted
b) is profoundly or severely deaf
c) is without speech
d) has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk [registered disabled]
e) does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms
f) has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
g) would have an application to drive a motor vehicle refused due to their disability.

NB. If you have a blue disabled parking badge you qualify for a bus pass.  (You do not, however, automatically qualify for a blue disabled parking badge if you have a disabled bus pass and further assessment of your disability may be required).  If you would like to find out more about the blue disabled parking badge scheme, please see the Blue Badge webpage.

4. What evidence do I need to bring to apply for a new bus pass?

In order to qualify for a bus pass, you must live permanently within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.  Bus passes will be issued on proof of address, identity and either age or disability. 

For more information about eligibility please visit www.directgov/buspass

5. Do I need to bring a photo in?

No, we take a photograph of you at the issuing sites.

6. Can I use my existing Advantage card style bus pass (which doesn’t expire until 2011 or later) as a free bus pass?

Yes, you may use your Advantage card style bus pass until it expires as a bus pass on 30 September 2008.  You will only be able to use your Advantage card within RBWM and you will need to show your new national bus pass to travel outside RBWM.  However, RBWM and the bus companies would prefer you to use your new national bus pass for all journeys from 1 April 2008.

If you have not received a national bus pass in the post by the end of May 2008, please apply in person at an issuing centre.

7. Will I need to get a new Advantage card?

No, you can continue to use your Advantage card for discounts at local shops, attractions, and for car parking but it will not be valid as a bus pass after 30 September 2008.

8. Can I use my new bus pass for parking discounts in RBWM car parks?

No, you will need to use your yellow Advantage card in parking meters.

9. I’m not intending to use the pass outside RBWM; do I still need a new one?

Yes.  All concessionary travel passes are changing. 

10. I have been issued a white temporary pass.  Why do I need to get a new one?

The temporary passes are only valid until 30 September 2008 and are part of an interim arrangement to allow people who have not yet got their new national bus pass to travel outside of RBWM for free.

11. Can I get one for my husband/wife/partner?

No, individuals have to attend to have their photo taken.

12. How long is the free bus pass valid for?

There will be an expiry date on your full national bus pass which will not be longer than 5 years. 

If you have been issued a temporary pass this will expire on 30 September 2008 and you should return to an issuing site after the end of May 2008 to obtain a new full national bus pass.  The temporary pass is only valid when shown with a valid Advantage card style bus pass.

New National Bus pass 13. What will my pass look like?

There are two types of passes being issued outside of London.  For those aged 60 or over, your pass will feature a blue strip down the right-hand side. For disabled people, yours will feature an orange strip.  There is a red rose and ribbon running across the top of the cards to represent England.  You will also see the RBWM crest on the top right. 

14. I have lost my bus pass, or it has been stolen, can it be replaced?

Yes, you will need to go to one of the issuing sites with proof of residency and either age or disability.  Please be aware that each replacement will incur an admin charge of £15.

15. Can I claim a Concessionary Fares Direct Payment (previously known as taxi vouchers) as well?

No, you may only hold one type of concession at any one time: your bus pass will be invalidated if you apply for and are accepted to receive the Concessionary Fares Direct Payment (CFDP).   Concessionary Fares Direct Payments are used by permanently disabled residents who are unable to use public transport. 

16. Can I get a rail pass at the same time?

No, rail passes are only available from the railway station and are not included in the national bus pass scheme.

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How, When, Where and On What to use your new national bus pass

1. When is it free and can I travel on a bus at any time?

The new government minimum times of travel are 9.30am-11pm Monday to Friday and all day on weekends and bank holidays.

Residents may travel at any time every day within the boundaries of RBWM. 

You may also use your bus pass on buses in Slough and  Bracknell at any time.  You may use your bus pass in Reading, West Berkshire, and Wokingham localities after 9am until 11pm.

In the rest of England, please assume that you may only travel between 9.30am - 11pm as local benefits to extend this time are often available only to people resident in those areas.  However, to be sure about what you are entitled to it is worth checking with the relevant local authority in the area you are visiting before you travel.

2. How strict are the time restrictions?

Pass holders should assume that the time restrictions apply as strictly as they do today (i.e. the pass will not be valid if you board a bus 10 minutes early where restrictions apply).

3. How do I use my pass?

In most areas the national pass will be used as a ‘flash pass’ and shown to the driver when boarding.  However, in some areas outside of London, buses have smart electronic pass readers.  In these areas, passengers will be able to put their pass over the electronic pass reader and it will identify that the holder is entitled to a free journey and will record that the journey has been made.

If you are unsure, please ask the driver for assistance when boarding the bus.

4. Can I travel on any bus?

The new national scheme entitles bus pass holders to travel for free on local, off-peak bus services.  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, pass holders can check with the service operator, or with RBWM on 01628 683806.

The National Bus Concession does not include the following:

a) Scheduled coach services not registered as local bus services
b) Other modes such as ferries, trains, or trams
c) Community transport services not registered as local bus services
d) Other special services

The above list is not exhaustive but gives a guide to the main exemptions; if in doubt, contact RBWM on 01628 683806.

5. What about travelling on the Green Line service?
RBWM residents may travel for free on the Green Line (bus numbers 700, 701 and 702) from 9.30am on weekdays and all day at weekends and bank holidays.  If you wish to use one of the Green Line bus services before 9.30am you will have to pay the full adult fare.  For timetable information please visit the Greenline website  

6. How far can I travel for free?

You may travel for free across England on local bus services between 9.30am - 11pm.  Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are excluded from this scheme.

7. If I visit an area which offers additional services, will I be entitled to those services?

Probably not.  Authorities that offer additional services must fund the additional services themselves.  As a general rule they only provide the additional services for their own residents.  However, some authorities do have schemes which offer benefits to people from some other areas. It is worth checking the relevant local authority in the area to which you intend to travel.

8. Where can I catch the bus to Bracknell, Reading, High Wycombe, Slough, Staines or Heathrow Airport?

Call the National Bus Travel line on 0871 200 2233. It is a very good service. Alternatively link to the journey planner on the Bus Services serving the Borough.

9. Can I travel for free in London?

You may use your bus pass as a ‘flash and go’ card on London buses at off-peak times.  You may not use your pass on other modes of transport such as tubes, trains or trams.  These benefits are paid for by the London authorities and are therefore available only to London Freedom Pass Holders.  Non-London residents are only entitled to the statutory national concession of free off-peak bus travel when visiting London.

10. Where do I get a bus timetable from?

Find bus timetables on board local buses or from the Customer Service Centres at the Town Hall in Maidenhead and at York House in Windsor, your local library and Windsor Tourist Information Centre. You can telephone 01628 683800 to request a copy to be posted to you.

For Courtney Coaches services, please visit http://www.courtneycoaches.com/?page=services or request timetables by calling 01344 482200.

For First bus services, please visit http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/southeast/berkshirethames/timetables/index.php or request timetables by calling 01753 524144.

11. Where do I get real-time bus information from?

RBWM operates a real-time bus information text service. 

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Important information for Advantage style bus pass holders

All new national bus passes have been distributed to those people already on our database.  If you have an Advantage style bus pass and have not yet received your new bus pass, please see question 3 below.    

Permanent and Temporary Bus Pass problems and queries

1.  The photo on my bus pass is not me!  What should I do?
Please bring the incorrect bus pass, a recognised form of ID and proof of address to an issuing site for a new photograph to be taken and a new card to be printed.  Your new bus pass will be posted to you within 10 working days.
You will have to hand in the incorrect pass and/ or your temporary pass if you have one.  You will be able to continue to use your Advantage card style bus pass within RBWM until 30 September 2008 while you wait for your new national bus pass to be posted.

2.  A card has been sent to a deceased person or the person is no longer resident ? What should I do with the card?
We are very sorry if you have been caused any distress by this.  Please send the card and letter back to us at the address below stating why it is being returned and we will amend our records.

3. I have an Advantage style bus pass but have not received my new pass - What should I do?
If you have not received your new national bus pass by post by end of May 2008 this may have been for a number of reasons. You will be able to continue to use your Advantage card style bus pass within RBWM until 30 September 2008. Please come back to an issuing site after the end of May 2008 to have your photogragh taken for a new national bus pass. You will need to bring some form of photographic ID and proof of address. Your Advantage card bus pass will be sufficient proof of eligibility.

4. How do I use my temporary bus pass?
If you have been issued a white cardboard temporary pass you will need to show both your Advantage card and the temporary pass to the bus driver.  From 30 September 2008 you will need to have a permanent national bus pass, even if you are only using RBWM buses, because all bus passes have changed.

5. My temporary bus pass expires on 30 September 2008 - what can I do to get a full bus pass before this card expires?
If you have been issued a temporary bus pass, please come back to an issuing site after the end of May to have your photograph taken for a new national bus pass.  After 30 September 2008 the temporary bus pass will be invalidated.  You will need to bring some form of photographic ID, proof of address, the temporary card you were issued, and the letter we sent to you.  You will have to hand in your temporary pass if you have one.  You will be able to continue to use your Advantage card style bus pass within RBWM until 30 September 2008 while you wait for your new national bus pass to be sent to you within 10 days.

Contact Information:

By telephone: 01628 683806
By email: customer.services@rbwm.gov.uk
By post: Concessionary Fares, CSC, RBWM, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1RF

Web page: Bus Services

Fraud Prevention

Following your application for a national bus pass, further checks will be made using the information you provided to verify your eligibility.

If our checks indicate that you may not be eligible, for example, because you are already in receipt of a Concessionary Fares Direct Payment, you will receive a letter to state this.

The Council has the duty by law to administer a national bus pass to those within its area who qualify. We also have a responsibility to ensure that payments and bus passes are given only to those who are actually entitled to receive them.

For that reason, the Royal Borough has its own Fraud section whose duties include:

Your information will be used for the prevention and detection of fraud.

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RBWM Travel Pass Conditions of Use

 
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