Page content section :
Concessionary Travel Scheme
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
- Change of personal details (eg moving house)
- General questions
- Questions relating to the English National Bus Pass
- Questions relating to the Senior Citizens Railcard Exchange Order
- Questions relating to the Disabled Persons Railcard Exchange Order
- Questions relating to Travel Vouchers
Change of personal details (eg moving house)
FAQ : What do I do if I move home?
If you change your address, you should advise us as soon as possible so that we can update our records.
- If you currently have a bus pass and are moving within
West Sussex :
- You can continue to use your existing pass.
- You will need to complete a 'change of details' form that can be downloaded below or by contacting us on (01273) 263399.
- We will send your new pass at renewal to your new address.
- Change of details form (.PDF 80kb)
- If you currently have a bus pass and are moving out of
West Sussex :
- You should contact your new local authority for them to issue you with a new bus pass.
- Your existing pass will be cancelled 14 days after you notify us that you have moved.
- Once your new pass has been received, your old pass should be returned to us.
- If you currently have a bus pass and are moving into
West Sussex :
- You should contact the authority who issued your current pass so that it can be cancelled.
- You should complete an application form for your new local authority to issue you with a new pass. See also : How to apply.
- If you currently have a rail or taxi voucher concession
and are moving within West Sussex :
- We will write to you at your new address at the appropriate time about renewal.
FAQ : What do I do if any of my personal details change (eg change of name) ?
If you change your name, please let us know so that we can update our records.
and
If you currently have a bus pass :
- You can continue to
use your existing pass until it expires when we will issue one in your
new name free of charge.
OR - We can arrange for a new pass to be produced in the new name at a cost of £5. You will need to complete a form requesting a replacement pass (obtainable from us or download form below). This will take up to 10 days and you will also need to return your current pass. (See also payments).
- If you do not receive it you should contact us on (01273) 263399 within the following 2 weeks. If you do not, there will be an additional £5 charge to provide another pass.
- Replacement form - bus pass change of details (.PDF 80kb)
FAQ : What do I do if I change my telephone number?
Please let us know as soon as possible so that we can update our records. This is important so that we can contact you urgently if required (e.g. if your bus pass, railcard or travel vouchers have been handed in).
FAQ : What if I want to change the photo on my bus pass?
- You can continue to use your existing pass until it expires when we
will issue one with your new photo free of charge. You
will need to send us the photo at least 1 month before the pass expires.
OR - We can arrange for a new pass to be produced with a new photo at a cost of £5. You will need to complete a form requesting a replacement pass (obtainable from us or download form below). This will take up to 10 days and you will also need to return your current pass with the new photo (see also payments).
- If you do not receive it you should contact us on (01273) 263399 within the following 2 weeks. If you do not, there will be an additional £5 charge to provide another pass.
- Replacement form - bus pass change of details (.PDF 80kb)
FAQ : What happens when somebody dies?
Please let us know as soon as possible. If they have a bus pass or travel vouchers, these should be returned to us.
General Questions
FAQ : Can I have a bus pass and a railcard exchange order or travel vouchers?
You are only allowed one concession with us at a time. You can however, have the bus pass with us and purchase the Railcard direct from the train company.
FAQ : Can I change concessions?
- If you have a bus pass and would like to change this to
either vouchers or senior citizen/disabled persons railcard
- you can do so at any time by returning your bus pass to us and requesting the change you wish to make.
- If
you have either vouchers or one of the rail concessions,
we will
write to you every year on the anniversary of your concession expiry date
and invite you to renew that concession or choose an alternative. If you
would like to change at a different time and have not used your vouchers
or railcard exchange order, you can change to an alternative concession
by contacting us and detailing the change you wish to make and returning
your vouchers/rail exchange order.
- If you wish to change to the bus pass, you will also need to supply a passport sized photo (Please see the criteria for photos on the how to apply page) with your name clearly written on the back. The new pass will be sent to you and will take about 10 days. If you do not receive it you should contact us on (01273) 263399 within the following 2 weeks, if not there will be a £5 charge to provide another pass.
Questions relating to the English National Bus Pass
FAQ: Why are disabled people getting free bus travel all day if journey starts within West Sussex?
The Equality Act 2010 requires the authority to take people’s disabilities into account, even where this means treating them more favourably than others.
FAQ: I am disabled and need a companion to travel. Can they get a pass too?
If you are issued with a free bus pass on the grounds of your disability, you will also be entitled to apply for a pass for a companion. This will mean that your current pass will be exchanged for one to include a second person.
FAQ: If I have a companion pass, can I or my companion travel alone using the pass?
As the pass holder, you may travel alone and qualify for the concessionary (free) fare. However, your companion will only qualify for a concessionary (free) fare if they are accompanying you.
FAQ : Will I be issued with a ticket on the bus?
In some areas bus drivers issue zero-priced tickets. Some bus companies choose to do this as a way of recording concessionary trips. However, the issuing of tickets to concessionary travellers is not a legal requirement and has no bearing on an eligible person's entitlement to free travel.
FAQ : Is the detail on an issued ticket of significance?
The English National bus pass scheme, introduced in April 2008, reimburses bus operators’ by charging the local authority in which each journey starts (West Sussex for our area).
Whilst the bus operators’ ticket machines record details of each journey, the only information that is required is the number of journeys made and where the journey started, not the destination. The actual cost of the journey is based upon the 'average normal cost' of fares, which is calculated by regular surveys carried out on the authority’s behalf by independent travel consultants.
Therefore, in calculating the amount of reimbursement that operators are entitled to, the destination printed on your ticket is not relevant.
FAQ : Can I use the bus pass in London?
The pass can be used on off-peak buses in London but not on the Underground.
FAQ : What is the definition of a 'local' bus?
The concession entitles pass holders to free travel on off-peak (anytime for disability passes, if journey starts within West Sussex, otherwise the same as for age related passes ) local bus services in England. Qualifying services will be self-evident in most cases, but may include some others if registered as a local bus service. If in doubt, pass holders should check with the bus operator.
FAQ: If I visit an area that offers additional services will I be entitled to them?
Probably not. As a general rule, local authorities will only provide additional services for their own residents.
FAQ : Can the pass be used in other parts of the UK?
No. The pass can only be used in England (including the Isle of Wight but excluding the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man).
FAQ : What happens when a bus service starting in England reaches the border with Scotland or Wales?
The national concession guarantees free off-peak (anytime for disability passes, if journey starts within West Sussex, otherwise the same as for age related passes) local bus travel for eligible England residents within England, but not within Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. However, local authorities do have the discretion to make special arrangements (to be funded locally) where they feel they are appropriate. This could, for example, include free travel on short cross-border journeys. However, any such arrangements will only apply locally.
FAQ: How long will my bus pass be valid?
From 1st April 2011, if you are an older person or permanently disabled, your new / renewed bus pass will be valid for 5 years, and will be automatically renewed unless notified otherwise. There may be circumstances where an annual renewal will be appropriate.
FAQ: I am temporarily residing in West Sussex, will I be entitled to a free bus pass?
In most circumstances, you will not be entitled to receive a free bus pass unless you are a permanent resident within West Sussex. If you think you may be eligible, please contact us on (01273) 263399.
FAQ: I have a regular hospital appointment which requires catching a bus before 9:30am and cannot afford to pay for my journey on a regular basis. Is there any help I can get?
The 40X wheelchair accessible bus travels between the Prince Royal and Royal Sussex County hospitals from 7:00am and is free to patients showing appropriate identification. A number of community transport schemes may also be able to offer assistance with travelling to hospital and other healthcare appointments. Find out more at www.westsussex.gov.uk/communitytransport
You may be able to get financial help from the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme if you are on low income, need NHS treatment at a hospital, other NHS centre or private clinic and have been referred by an NHS hospital consultant, doctor or dentist.
To find out more go to www.direct.gov.uk or cal, NHS Patient Services helpline 0845 850 1166 (8:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday - calls are charged at the local rate).
FAQ: I have an age-related bus pass, what happens if I want to travel at a time when I cannot use my bus pass?
You must pay the full normal fare for the journey you are making.
FAQ: Does having a bus pass mean I can get on the bus before people who pay fares?
No. Pass holders must join the queue with other passengers and may not board if the bus is already full.
FAQ : Why do time restrictions apply?
The National standard off-peak time for using the bus pass is 9.30am to 11.00pm Monday to Friday and all day weekends and Bank Holidays (age related passes only, disability passes can be used anytime if journey starts within West Sussex, otherwise the same as for age related passes ). It is for the authority, taking account of their particular area and circumstances, to determine whether they wish to offer additional benefits such as earlier start times. The cost of offering the statutory concession during peak times, across the whole country, is currently prohibitive and could also raise capacity issues for operators in some areas.
FAQ : Why doesn't Adur offer free travel outside the 9.30am to 11pm restriction for age related passes?
Some councils allow their own residents to travel before 9.30am and after 11pm within that council's own area. However, residents of these councils are not allowed to travel in other areas until 9.30am or after 11pm. West Sussex County Council does not allow travel before 9.30am or after 11pm on weekdays as the cost would be too great and could involve increasing council tax or cutting back on services.
Questions relating to the Senior Citizens Railcard Exchange Order
FAQ : Can I get my Senior Citizens railcard at the Council Offices?
No. When you get the exchange order from us, you will need to take this, with a separate application form (which we will provide) to the station to get your railcard.
Questions relating to the Disabled Persons Railcard Exchange Order
FAQ : Can I get my Disabled Persons Railcard at the Council Offices?
No. When you sign and date the Rail Company's application form, we will send this together with the exchange order from us directly to the Rail Company at :
- Rail Travel Made Easy
PO Box 11631
Laurencekirk
AB30 9AA
The local station is not able to issue a Disabled Persons Railcard .
Questions relating to Travel Vouchers
FAQ : Can I use the vouchers on a bus or train?
No. The vouchers are only accepted by local taxi companies / Adur Community Transport and Dial-A-Ride and for pre-booked transport with the WRVS Cars and Companions Scheme. A full list is available on the what's available page.
FAQ : Can I save the vouchers to use in the future?
The vouchers will have an expiry date printed on them (12 months after the date of issue) and they must be used before that expiry date.
