National bus pass (concessionary travel)

Changes to concessionary bus passes 01 April 2013

Following the recent changes to the concessionary bus pass application process bus companies operating in Dorset have been asked to continue accepting those passes which expired on 31 March 2013.  This arrangement has been put in place until 12 April 2013.

Are you eligible for a bus pass?

Older people:

The government have introduced changes to the criteria by which people qualify for a bus pass on the grounds of age.
Essentially, the age of eligibility for women will be pension age and for men it will be the pensionable age of a woman born on the same day.

You can check when you'll become eligible by entering your sex and date of birth into the State Pension age calculator (opens in a new window) .

Disabled people:

You're eligible for a disabled person's pass if you live in England and are 'eligible disabled'. This means 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 effect on your ability to walk

• don't have arms or have long-term loss of the use of both arms

• have a learning disability

• are a member or Veteran of the Armed Services who has been seriously injured in service

You're also eligible disabled if your application for a driving licence would be refused under section 92 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (physical fitness). However, you won't be eligible if you were refused because of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.

What does the bus pass entitle you to?

Free local bus travel in Dorset from 9.30am to 11pm on Monday to Friday and at any time during weekends and public holidays.
You are also entitled to free local bus travel in all other areas of England during these off-peak times.

Free travel throughout the week is available for blind and partially sighted people.
For companion pass holders it is free from 9.30am to 11pm on weekdays and all day at weekends and public holidays.

Some rural areas of Dorset have less frequent public transport services. With this in mind we are offering Dorset residents pre 9.30am travel as an exception to the scheme where there is no other service or the next available service is 10.30am or later.
See a  Full list of public transport services that can be used before 9.30am 2013 revised 16 April 2013 (pdf, 28kb) (opens in a new window) - (last revised on 16 April 2013)

How to apply for a bus pass

Dorset County Council is responsible for concessionary bus pass applications and residents in the county council area should send application forms for their concessionary fares bus pass to Euclid Ltd.

Residents applying for an older persons or disabled persons bus pass for the first time can apply by downloading an application form:

• Older person concessionary bus pass application form (pdf, 71kb) (opens in a new window)

• Disabled person concessionary bus pass application form (pdf, 75kb) (opens in a new window)

You can also collect an application form from your district or borough council, or from your local library.

Enquiries can be made by email to dorsetenquiries@euclid.ltd.uk or by telephone on 0300 330 1201.

Preventing fraud

By law, councils have to protect public money. We may share information you provide with those responsible for auditing or administering public money in order to prevent or detect fraud. The council must send data held on concessionary travel passes.

• Christchurch Borough Council - National Transport Tokens

  With effect from 1 April 2013, the Christchurch Travel Token Scheme was closed to new applicants.

• East Dorset District Council Travel Concessions and Travel Tokens

  In addition to the national scheme, residents of East Dorset who are entitled to a free bus pass are also entitled to all day travel, not limited to off-peak hours.

• North Dorset District Council National Bus Pass Scheme

  Dorset County Council is now responsible for all bus pass applications and the National Scheme now applies in North Dorset. Some assistance for North Dorset residents who need to travel by bus to early medical appointments is available, by application.

• Purbeck District Council National Bus Pass Scheme

  Dorset County Council is now responsible for administering the National Bus Pass Scheme in rural Dorset.

• West Dorset District Council National bus pass scheme

  Dorset County Council is now responsible for all bus pass applications and the National Scheme now applies in West Dorset.

• Weymouth and Portland Borough Council National Bus Pass Scheme

  Dorset County Council is now responsible for all bus pass applications and the National Scheme now applies in Weymouth and Portland.