Concessionary Travel Scheme

Hart District Council provides financial assistance with travel costs to certain groups within the District.

There are two types of help available - the National Bus Pass and Hart Local Transport Tokens:

National Bus Pass

Free Bus Travel for over 60’s and disabled (5yrs and over).

From 6^th April 2010 the age that residents can receive a free bus pass has changed.

The age of eligibility for the concessionary bus pass for both men and women will gradually increase from 60 to 65 between 2010 and 2020.  This change is in line with the new state pension age that is coming into effect over the next 10 years.

The changes to the age of eligibility will not affect anyone who has turned 60 on or before 5^th April 2010.

Before you apply for your bus pass please refer to the Age Calculator or you can visit http://pensions.direct.gov.uk/en/state-pension-age-calculator/home.asp for further information.

You may also wish to visit the Department of Transport website where you will find a statement regarding these changes: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/buses/concessionary/changes/

The National Bus Pass will allow you to travel free off-peak* on local buses anywhere in England.

*Off-peak hours are 9.30 a.m. until 11.00 p.m. Monday - Friday, and all day weekends and bank holidays.

However, Hart District Council will enhance the National scheme and allow Hart residents to use their pass at anytime for journeys starting within the Hart area.  Local extensions to the national minimum standard, such as travel at any time will not be available when travelling in other areas.   

The National pass cannot be used on rail services or for long distance journeys on, for example express coach services.  When visiting London you will be able to use your pass on local off-peak buses.  You will not be entitled to use your pass for travel on the London Underground.

If you meet the disability criteria and your disability is so severe that you are unable to travel by bus unaccompanied you may be entitled to claim a National bus pass with Companion.  The Companion pass is an enhancement to the national scheme and it is unlikely that companions will be allowed to travel free on journeys outside the Hart area.

All applicants will be required to provide proof of residency and date of birth along with a passport photograph.  The photograph will remain the property of Hart District Council.  Please do not send original documents. Photocopies are acceptable.

The photo must be:

• ·Recently taken, passport size 45mm x 35mm
• ·Taken without hat or sunglasses
• ·Taken against a plain background

Please do not send photographs taken at home unless they are printed on good quality photographic paper as these may not be of sufficient quality to be scanned onto the pass. Please write your name and date of birth on the back of the photograph.  Please do not stick or staple the photograph to the application form.

Applications for the National bus pass will be processed within two days of receipt at the Civic Offices and should reach you within 14 working days.  Please note that the National pass will not be printed at these offices, but will be issued via a government approved printing bureau.

Hart Transport Tokens

Hart District Council offer an alternative to the National bus pass in the form of local Hart Transport Tokens for anyone who meets the age criteria (age calculator) and who is in receipt of Housing or Council Tax Benefit, or residents who meet the disability criteria.  These can be used with a number of local taxis, some volunteer car groups and community transport - list of participants.  The tokens cannot be used for bus or rail journeys and are valid from 1st April 2010 to 31st March 2011.  They cannot be used after their expiry date.

Housing/Council Tax Benefit
You can claim £40.00 worth of tokens if you are in receipt of Housing/Council Tax benefit.  This is instead of the bus pass.

You will need to provide the following:

1. Proof of age (60 or over)
2. Current Housing/Council Tax benefit letter

Please send copies not original documents

Disability Criteria

You can apply for either £55.00 worth of Hart Local Transport Tokens or a National bus pass if you suffer from one or more of the following disabilities and are of fare-paying age (5 years and over):

1. Blind or partially sighted
2. Profoundly or severely deaf
3. Without speech
4. Have a disability, or have suffered an injury that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the ability to walk
5. Does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms
6. Have a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
7. Would, if applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have the application refused pursuant to section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the grounds of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.

Please send copies not original documents

If you are applying for £55.00 worth of tokens or a National Bus Pass because of a Disability we will accept any ONE of the following as evidence:

1. Blue Badge Parking permit
2. Disability Living Allowance/Attendance Allowance High rate mobility
3. Blind/Partially-sighted registration card
4. Yellow Disability Card issued by Hampshire Social Services
5. Severe disability allowance book/letter

Please send copies not original documents

To apply for tokens or for further information about the Concessionary Travel Scheme, please contact us on (01252) 774222.