Harrogate Borough Council

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Transport Services
e-mail
Phone: 01423 556989
Fax: 01423 556510
Textphone: 01423 556543
Harrogate Borough Council
PO Box 345
Harrogate
HG1 2XL

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Concessionary Fares

Free National Bus Travel

Since April 2008, concessionary bus travel has been improved to include national bus travel. Eligible people can get free off-peak travel on all registered local services.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How will the change in age eligibility announced by the Government affect the date on which I qualify for a travel concession?

A. The age of eligibility for concessionary travel will change in line with those changes being made to equalise eligibility for state pension benefits from April 2010.

As the pensionable age for women increase from 60 to 65 over the next 10 year period, 2010 to 2020 so too will the age of eligibility for concessionary travel for both men and women.

Anyone born after 5 April 1955 will not be eligible for concessionary travel until they reach the age of 65.

Q. How can I work out when I can apply for concessionary travel?

A. Either select the link below to the Direct Gov pension age calculator or contact Concessionary Fares on 01423 556989 or write to Harrogate Borough Council, PO Box 345, Harrogate, HG1 2XL

When working out the date of eligibility for concessionary travel you should select the female gender in all cases regardless of gender.

Please note that if you are male this date only relates to eligibility for concessionary travel and not pension entitlement.
http://pensions.direct.gov.uk/en/state-pension-age-calculator/home.asp

Q. Will the change in age eligibility affect current pass holders?

A. These changes will not affect anyone already in possession of a concessionary pass, only those due to turn 60 on or after 6 April 2010.

Q. How do I apply for a National Bus Pass?

A. You can apply for a bus pass when you have reached the age of 60 or if you are eligible disabled. For full details and an application form, either download online, contact Concessionary Fares on 01423 556989 or write to Harrogate Borough Council, PO Box 345, Harrogate HG1 2XL.

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 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. Can I use my bus pass on Community Transport?

A. Yes you can use your bus pass to obtain half fare travel on Community Transport.

Half Fare Rail Travel

Harrogate Borough Council has introduced Half Fare Rail Travel as an alternative concession to the free bus pass.

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 Higher Rate Care or Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance or Higher Rate Attendance Allowance 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.