Concessionary Fares
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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.
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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.