Harrogate Borough Council
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Concessionary Fares
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Introduction and EligibilityHarrogate Borough Council has been in partnership with other
North Yorkshire Districts and City of York council since 2001 to
provide concessionary bus travel for its residents. Since the
1st April 2006 Harrogate Borough Council has been able to
offer eligible residents free bus travel throughout North Yorkshire
and the City of York.
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Free National Bus Travel
From April 2008, concessionary bus travel provision will be
improved to include national bus travel. Eligible people will
get free off-peak travel on all local buses anywhere in
England.
The National Concessionary Bus Pass is available to men and
women of 60 years and over and disabled people of any age who
qualify under the categories listed in the Transport Act
2000.
Anyone who already has a valid North Yorkshire Concessionay
Fares pass should qualify for a National Concessionary Bus Travel
pass. Existing passholders will be contacted if they need to
provide any further information before their National pass can be
issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I already have a bus pass. Do I need to apply
for a new pass to get National free travel?
A. No, if you already have a pass, you do not need to do anything. If it is necessary, the Council will contact you for any information we need to issue the new National pass to you. However, the Council will need to issue you with a new pass to a new design, next March, for you to access the extended benefits provided by the new scheme starting in April 2008.
A. No, if you already have a pass, you do not need to do anything. If it is necessary, the Council will contact you for any information we need to issue the new National pass to you. However, the Council will need to issue you with a new pass to a new design, next March, for you to access the extended benefits provided by the new scheme starting in April 2008.
Q. Where can the National pass be used?
A. The National pass is valid for free bus travel on all registered local bus services anywhere in England. The pass is not valid for travel on long distance express coach services, or for train or tram travel. The pass cannot be used for local bus travel in Wales or Scotland.
Q. When can I use the National bus pass?
A. The National pass provides free travel across England from 9.30am until 11.00pm on weekdays, and all day on weekends and on bank holidays. Passes issued by North Yorkshire District Councils and City of York Council will also be valid at all times except between 6.00am and 9.00am Monday to Friday for journeys starting within North Yorkshire and City of York only. Local extensions to the national minimum standard, such as longer times when the pass is valid, will not be available when travelling in other areas. This is also likely to apply to other local scheme enhancements. For example, disabled people who are entitled to travel with a free fare companion may not be able to do so on journeys starting outside North Yorkshire or York. In other areas, only the passholder will be able to travel free.
Q. When exactly does the new Scheme start, and
when will I get my new National pass?
A. The new scheme will start in April 2008, but the exact date is not yet known. The new National pass will not be issued to you until mid to end of March 2008. The time delay is due to the processing and printing time required to produce the new style pass to a national standard which is determined by the Secretary of State.
A. The new scheme will start in April 2008, but the exact date is not yet known. The new National pass will not be issued to you until mid to end of March 2008. The time delay is due to the processing and printing time required to produce the new style pass to a national standard which is determined by the Secretary of State.
Q. I don't have a bus pass at the moment. How do I apply for a National bus pass?
A. You can apply for a bus pass at any time. If you are eligible to receive a travel concession, you will be issued with a North Yorkshire pass now, and you will automatically be re-issued with a National pass in time for the National Scheme starting in April 2008. For full details and an application form contact Concessionary Fares on 01423 556989 or write to Harrogate Borough Council, P.O. Box 345, Harrogate HG1 2XL.
Half Fare Rail Travel
Harrogate Borough Council has introduced Half Fare Rail
Travel, as an alternative concession to the free bus pass or
travel tokens, on a trial basis with effect from 1 September
2004.
All men and women over the age of 60, and disabled people
living in the Harrogate Borough Council area are eligible for a
rail pass if they waive their right to the statutory
minimum free bus pass for one year.
The rail pass will allow half fare travel on the Leeds -
Harrogate - York line only, when boarding at any station within the
Harrogate district. These are: Weeton, Pannal, Hornbeam Park,
Harrogate, Starbeck, Knaresborough, Cattal and Hammerton.
The rail pass will not be valid between 6am and 9.30am, and
between 4pm and 6pm on weekdays. It will be valid at all
times on weekends and bank holidays.
The rail pass will entitle the holder to a 50% reduction on
standard and cheap day single of return fares.
A disabled person who is in receipt of Disability Living
Allowance with the Higher Rate Mobility Component will be entitled
to a pass which includes provision for a companion to travel with
them at the concessionary rate.
National Transport Travel Tokens
Harrogate Borough Council offers the choice of National
Transport Travel Tokens, as an alternative to the Concessionary bus
pass to some eligible residents who live in the Harrogate Borough
Council Area. To obtain Travel Tokens, the applicant must waive
their right to the statutory bus pass for one year.
- All disabled applicants who are eligible for a travel concession qualify for travel tokens.
- All residents in the rural areas (parishes) of the district of 60 years or over qualify for travel tokens.
- Residents within the urban areas (Harrogate, Knaresborough or Ripon) who are age 60 years or over, will only qualify for travel tokens if they are unable to use the local bus service due to age or infirmity. A signed declaration is required.
If you currently hold a bus or rail pass and would prefer
travel tokens, you will need to return your bus or rail pass with
the application form.
The value of the travel tokens issued per year is £18.40
for residents in the rural areas and £9.20 for residents in
the urban areas.
Most taxi drivers in the district and the local rail service
accept travel tokens. You are advised to check this when arranging
a journey. Harrogate & District Community Transport also
accepts travel tokens.